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Human helper T cell factor(s) (ThF). I. Partial purification and characterization.
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|February 1, 1981
Summary
Researchers isolated human helper T cell factors (ThF) from tuberculous pleurisy patients. This ThF supports B cell IgG production, distinct from T cell growth factor (TCGF) activity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- T cells play a crucial role in adaptive immunity, including B cell antibody production.
- Tuberculous pleurisy provides a source of activated T lymphocytes for research.
- Understanding T cell helper factors is key to modulating immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To purify and characterize human helper T cell factors (ThF) involved in B cell IgG production.
- To differentiate ThF activity from T cell growth factor (TCGF) activity.
Main Methods:
- In vitro stimulation of T cells from tuberculous pleurisy patients with PPD.
- Assay of culture supernatant for helper activity in PWM-induced IgG production by B cells.
- Purification using ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration, and isoelectric focusing.
Main Results:
- Culture supernatant from PPD-stimulated T cells substituted for T cells in promoting IgG production.
- Purified ThF exhibited helper activity sensitive to heat and trypsin, with a molecular weight of approximately 20,000.
- Isoelectric focusing showed ThF activity distributed between pI 6.5-8.0, distinct from TCGF activity at pI 6.5.
Conclusions:
- A human helper T cell factor (ThF) distinct from TCGF was purified.
- This ThF plays a significant role in T cell-dependent B cell IgG production.
- The findings contribute to understanding T cell regulation of B cell differentiation.