The cytokine-like action of substance P upon B cell differentiation

B cells respond to a variety of effector molecules that can induce these cells to differentiate. One such molecule is the neuropeptide, substance P (SP). Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of SP receptors on lymphocytes while limited studies have been able to demonstrate the biological significance of their expression. SP has been shown to enhance IgA and IgM responses by Peyer's patch and splenic B cells. A limitation of these studies was that the direct effect of SP upon B cells was not ascertained, suggesting these B cells were stimulated via alternate mechanisms. To this end, evidence here will be discussed that SP can directly interact with clonal B lymphoma cells and highly purified splenic B cells. The data implicate SP as a late-acting B cell differentiation factor that requires an additional triggering mechanism to initiate the B cell differentiation process.