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Eosinophil differentiation factor also has B-cell growth factor activity: proposed name interleukin 4
Summary
A newly identified mouse lymphokine stimulates eosinophil production and is identical to B-cell growth factor II. This molecule is proposed to be named interleukin 4, highlighting its eosinophil-differentiating activity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hematopoiesis
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- A mouse lymphokine stimulating eosinophil production in bone marrow cultures was previously identified.
- This factor showed specificity for the eosinophil lineage in hematopoietic differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if the eosinophil-stimulating lymphokine is identical to B-cell growth factor II.
- To propose a unified nomenclature for this lymphokine based on its dual activities.
Main Methods:
- Assessing coordinate expression of activities in T-cell clones and lines.
- Copurification using various protein separation techniques.
Main Results:
- The eosinophil-stimulating factor demonstrated identical expression patterns to B-cell growth factor II.
- Both activities were copurified, indicating they originate from the same molecule.
Conclusions:
- The mouse lymphokine stimulating eosinophil production is identical to B-cell growth factor II.
- The proposed name for this molecule is interleukin 4 (IL-4), emphasizing its eosinophil-differentiating role.