B cells express Ly-6C in a Th1 but not Th2 cytokine environment.
Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) is the primary regulator of transient Ly-6C expression on T cells. B cells, which do not express Ly-6C in the resting state, have been reported to express Ly-6C following exposure to proinflammatory stimuli. This study examined the factors controlling Ly-6C expression on B cells and the kinetics of Ly-6C expression in the presence of these factors. In vivo studies demonstrated that proinflammatory (Th1) cytokines transiently upregulate B cell Ly-6C expression. In vitro studies identified Th1 cytokines, particularly IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma, as the principal cytokines responsible for this induction. Polyclonal B cell activators (anti-IgM and recombinant CD40 ligand trimer) showed minimal ability to independently induce Ly-6C expression on B cells but did enhance the ability of IFNs to induce expression. Th2 cytokine environments did not result in B cell Ly-6C expression, and interleukin-4 (IL-4) actually antagonized the IFN-driven induction of Ly-6C. Ly6.1 strains of mice consistently demonstrated a greater ability to express Ly-6C on B cells than did Ly-6.2 strains. Together, these studies demonstrate the ability of Th1 but not Th2 cytokine environments to transiently induce the expression of Ly-6C on B cells and provide additional evidence for differences in the regulation of Ly-6C expression in Ly6.1 and Ly6.2 strains.
Department of Pathology, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242-1181, USA. schluetera@uihc.uiowa.edu
Annette J
AJ
Schlueter
Arthur M
AM
Krieg
Peter
P
De Vries
Xiang
X
Li
D000818:Animals; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000494:pharmacology; D000950:Antigens, Ly / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000494:pharmacology; D018899:CpG Islands / Q000276:immunology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007114:Immunization; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D000950:Antigens, Ly; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D008222:Lymphokines; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C044203:anti-IgM; D023201:CD40 Ligand; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma