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Neither interleukin 2 nor gamma interferon directly promote growth or differentiation of mouse B cells
The roles of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) as direct mediators of B-cell growth and differentiation were analysed. Products of cloned genes were used in both cases. The use of flow cytometric assays coupled with density fractionation of responding splenic B-cell populations enabled both the characterization of B cells responding to various stimuli and the estimation of their frequency. B cells responding to non-IL-2 related lymphokines promoting growth and differentiation were restricted to low buoyant density fractions. In addition, these cells expressed densities of IL-2 receptor determinants comparable to those found on T cells, although, IL-2 did not support their growth or differentiation. The inability to demonstrate any direct effect of either IL-2 or IFN-gamma on B cells in any state of activation suggests that their physiological roles are mediated through additional cell types.
The roles of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) as direct mediators of B-cell growth and differentiation were analysed. Products of cloned genes were used in both cases. The use of flow cytometric assays coupled with density fractionation of responding splenic B-cell populations enabled both the characterization of B cells responding to various stimuli and the estimation of their frequency. B cells responding to non-IL-2 related lymphokines promoting growth and differentiation were restricted to low buoyant density fractions. In addition, these cells expressed densities of IL-2 receptor determinants comparable to those found on T cells, although, IL-2 did not support their growth or differentiation. The inability to demonstrate any direct effect of either IL-2 or IFN-gamma on B cells in any state of activation suggests that their physiological roles are mediated through additional cell types.