Cell surface phenotype, cytokines, and antibody gene expression in immortalized human B cell lines

In an attempt to gain some insight into the many factors influencing antibody gene expression in human B cell lines, we have examined in detail the relationship between cell surface phenotype, cytokines, and the growth and antibody-producing capacity of a panel of immortalized human B cell lines. The cell panel comprised lines secreting either high or low titers of antibodies against Rhesus D, hepatitis B surface, and tetanus toxoid antigens. All the transformed cell lines exhibited a cell surface phenotype characteristic of well-differentiated peripheral blood cells strongly expressing CD23 and CD38 while weakly expressing CD10 and CD21. There was no obvious relationship between the antibody-body-secreting and proliferative capacity of the cell lines and their cell surface phenotype. Antibody secretion by the cells was rarely improved by the addition of a wide range of doses of recombinant IL-2, IL-4, or IL-6. In addition, such treatment frequently inhibited proliferation. Supernatants from some of the cell lines promoted the growth of unrelated cell lines but failed to influence antibody production. Such supernatants contained the highest concentration of IL-1, TNF beta, TGF beta, and soluble CD23. In contrast, the heterohybrid supernatant which inhibited cell growth secreted low levels of these cytokines. None of the cell lines secreted detectable amounts of IL-2, IL-4, INF gamma, or GCSF. There was no obvious relationship between cytokine production and antibody secretion. Finally, LPS had a slight but variable effect on antibody secretion but failed to influence cell growth.