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Differentiation by interleukin 2 of a subpopulation of human B cells
We demonstrate here that purified recombinant interleukin 2 (IL-2) induces a sizeable population of highly purified spleen B cells, by both negative and positive (cell-sorting) selection to differentiate polyclonally into plasma cells. This effect is seen at concentrations of IL-2 that are optimal for T-cell growth (1-5 U/ml) and is inhibitable by anti-Tac monoclonal antibody. In contrast, peripheral blood B cells show no or minimal terminal differentiation. When spleen B cells were separated into small and large cells, only the latter responded to IL-2; since this state of activation is achieved in vivo, these data support the possibility that IL-2 may be a physiological mediator in B-cell differentiation.
We demonstrate here that purified recombinant interleukin 2 (IL-2) induces a sizeable population of highly purified spleen B cells, by both negative and positive (cell-sorting) selection to differentiate polyclonally into plasma cells. This effect is seen at concentrations of IL-2 that are optimal for T-cell growth (1-5 U/ml) and is inhibitable by anti-Tac monoclonal antibody. In contrast, peripheral blood B cells show no or minimal terminal differentiation. When spleen B cells were separated into small and large cells, only the latter responded to IL-2; since this state of activation is achieved in vivo, these data support the possibility that IL-2 may be a physiological mediator in B-cell differentiation.