IL-2 and proteoglycans synergistically induce antigen-specific B-cell responses--a possible immune response in the

Aiko Kikuchi1, Hiroshi Tomoyasu, Isao Kamo

  • 1The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan. Akikuchi-kkr@umin.ac.jp <Akikuchi-kkr@umin.ac.jp>

To understand developmental mechanisms of effector B-cells in the hyperplastic MG thymus, we have evaluated immunological roles of IL-2 and the 100-kDa haemopoietic biglycan, because the number of their producers increases pathologically there. When these two factors were added to an immune system together, the number of antibody-producing cells was markedly increased in a synergistic fashion. Further, IL-2 and the conditioned medium of myoid cells induced immunoglobulin isotype switches, suggesting that new B-cell stimulatory microenvironments were generated in the hyperplastic thymus. In relation to this, we also discuss a new biological feature, an immunomodulator, of conventional biglycan and decorin.

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