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C M Snapper

Publications and source records attributed to C M Snapper.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

IL-10 inhibits T cell-independent but not T cell-dependent responses in vitro.

Lymphokines play a key role in T cell-independent (TI) Ag-induced responses. We recently showed that IL-10 potently inhibits Ig production stimulated by TI-2 Ag + IL-5. In view of our recent findings that the B cell activator can determine the effect lymphokines will have on Ig production and on isotype selection, we analyzed the effect of IL-10 on Ig production induced by other TI antigens and T cell-dependent Ag. These data demonstrate that IL-10 inhibited IL-5-induced Ig production stimulated by TI-1 and by TI-2 Ag, but had no effect on an in vitro T cell-dependent Ag-specific anti-SRBC-induced response or on a T cell-induced polyclonal response mediated by anti-CD3-activated T cell clones. IL-10 inhibited IgM, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG3 secretion by B cells costimulated by LPS or anti-delta-dextran. IL-10 did not interfere with induction of class II MHC Ag expression or cell enlargement that was stimulated by LPS or anti-delta-dextran and had no detrimental effect on cell viability. IL-4 reversed the IL-10-mediated inhibition of IgG1 and IgM secretion stimulated by anti-delta-dextran or LPS-activated cells in the presence of IL-5. A 72 h, but not 24 h, exposure to IL-4 at initiation of culture with anti-delta-dextran + IL-5 + IL-10 was necessary to reverse the IL-10-mediated inhibition of IgM secretion. Our data suggest that IL-10 can selectively inhibit TI Ag-induced responses when other T cell-derived stimulatory lymphokines are not present and further emphasize the specific role of the B cell activator in influencing the responsiveness of B cells to lymphokines.

Animals↗

Transforming growth factor beta 1 selectivity stimulates immunoglobulin G2b secretion by lipopolysaccharide-activated murine B cells.

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been reported to induce immunoglobulin (Ig)G2b class switching, yet we observed strain differences in IgG2b secretion in response to this mitogen. Specifically, BALB/c B cells, unlike those from DBA/2, synthesized relatively low amounts of IgG2b relative to IgG3, IgG1, or IgM. This report demonstrates that transforming growth factor (TGF) beta 1, previously shown to induce IgA class switching, selectively stimulates IgG2b secretion by BALB/c resting B cells activated with LPS. This activity was specifically reversed with a neutralizing anti-TGF-beta 1 antibody. The ability of TGF-beta 1 to act directly on highly purified membrane (m)IgM+ mIgG2b- cells to stimulate IgG2b production, stimulate an increase in IgG2b-secreting cells, and selectively increase the steady-state levels of germline gamma 2b RNA, suggests that it promotes IgG2b class switching. In this regard, addition of anti-TGF-beta antibody to cultures of DBA/2-derived resting B cells activated by LPS, alone, led to selective reduction in IgG2b secretion, indicating that endogenous TGF-beta 1 accounts for the high IgG2b secretory response observed in that strain. Finally, TGF-beta 1 failed to stimulate IgG2b secretion by B cells activated with dextran-conjugated anti-IgD antibody. We propose that TGF-beta 1 is a switch factor for the murine IgG2b subclass for appropriately activated B cells. In combination with other data, this would show that all six non-IgM, non-IgD isotypes in the mouse can be selectively induced by specific cytokines.

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Comparative in vitro analysis of proliferation, Ig secretion, and Ig class switching by murine marginal zone and follicular B cells.

We have previously demonstrated that activation of murine B cells by dextran-conjugated anti-IgD antibodies may serve as a polyclonal, in vitro model system for studying immune responses to T cell-independent type 2 (TI-2) Ag, as exemplified by the bacterial polysaccharides. Because in vivo Ig responses to TI-2 Ag are mediated primarily by B cells resident in the splenic marginal zone, we wished to determine whether this reflected an intrinsic difference in the responsiveness of marginal zone B cells (MZB) compared with follicular B cells (FB) to this class of Ag. In this report we demonstrate that highly purified MZB, isolated by electronic cell sorting, exhibit a lower proliferative response in vitro in response to unconjugated anti-Ig antibody as well as to dextran- or Sepharose-conjugated anti-IgM or anti-IgD antibodies, whereas they proliferate equal to or better than FB when stimulated by other B cell mitogens including LPS, Salmonella typhimurium mitogen, or anti-CD3-activated CD4+ Th2 cell clone. Despite the different proliferative responses of MZB and FB induced by anti-Ig, Ag receptor cross-linkage stimulates comparable increases in intracellular free calcium concentrations in both of these B cell populations. Furthermore, MZB secrete Ig and undergo Ig isotype switching to a comparable degree, relative to FB, in response to both T cell-dependent and T cell-independent stimuli. This suggests that the compartmentalization of TI-2 responses to the splenic marginal zone rather than the follicular zone reflects something other than the intrinsic responsiveness of the B cells from these two sites.

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Dextran-conjugated anti-IgD antibodies inhibit T cell-mediated IgE production but augment the synthesis of IgM and IgG.

We previously demonstrated that anti-IgD antibodies conjugated to dextran (alpha delta-dex) were a potent co-stimulus for Ig secretion by resting murine B cells in the presence of cytokines. However, although alpha delta-dex stimulated the secretion of most Ig isotypes it selectively failed to costimulate IgE production even in the presence of high concentrations of IL-4. Earlier reports indicated that unconjugated anti-IgM, which was not an effective costimulus for Ig secretion, in fact inhibited Ig production induced by LPS. We determined the effect of alpha delta-dex, at concentrations that costimulated cytokine-induced Ig secretion, on Ig production by LPS- or T cell-activated B cells, and whether IgE production was affected in a selective manner. We observed that alpha delta-dex inhibited Ig isotype production (IgE > IgG > IgM) by LPS-activated B cells, while further stimulating their proliferation. This effect of alpha delta-dex was mediated directly at the level of the B cell and was accompanied by a comparable inhibition in Ig class switching, as assessed by flow cytometric analysis of membrane Ig isotype-positive cells. The inhibitory effects of alpha delta-dex on LPS-induced Ig secretion and class switching occurred at 1000-fold lower concentrations of anti-IgD than that reported necessary for inhibition by unconjugated anti-IgM. Whereas IL-4 + IL-5 costimulated Ig isotype production by alpha delta-dex-activated cells, the further addition of LPS led to a marked ablation of the Ig secretory response indicating the cross-inhibitory effects of these two modes of B cell activation. By contrast, alpha delta-dex augmented IgM and IgG1 secretion by resting B cells stimulated with either an anti-CD3-activated CD4+ Th2 clone or with activated T cell membranes in combination with IL-4 + IL-5. However, alpha delta-dex potently inhibited T cell-mediated IgE secretion. These findings underscore the existence of, and demonstrate a number of novel interrelationships between, three distinct pathways of B cell differentiation induced by different modes of activation. Further, the observation that pg/ml quantities of alpha delta-dex selectively inhibits T cell-induced IgE production in vitro suggests a novel strategy to down-regulate this Ig isotype in vivo.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

IL-4 induction of IgE class switching by lipopolysaccharide-activated murine B cells occurs predominantly through sequential switching.

Resting murine B cells activated with bacterial LPS co-express membrane (m)IgG1 and mIgE upon stimulation with IL-4. In this report, we combine both cellular and molecular approaches to elucidate the mechanism underlying this co-expression. We demonstrate that an anti-IgG1 antibody specifically and selectively inhibits IgE secretion (approximately 70%) by LPS + IL-4-stimulated B cells, which provides functional evidence for mIgG1 expression by precursors of IgE-secreting cells. The IgG1 and IgE secretory responses are separated temporally by approximately 16 h, with IgE production developing later than IgG1. A similar delay is observed in the appearance of mIgE+ cells suggesting that class switching to IgG1 precedes that to IgE. In the sort-purified, mIgG1+mIgE+ B cell population approximately 25% of cells expressed cytoplasmic (c) (secretory) IgG1 and approximately 15% expressed cIgE at the time of their isolation. However, only a small percent of the mIgG1+mIgE+ cells co-expressed cIgG1 and cIgE, further suggesting a temporal separation in IgG1 and IgE secretion within individual cells, but indicating that single cells can co-secrete these two Ig isotypes. Furthermore, the absolute level and rate of increase of IgG1 secretion by mIgG1+mIgE+ cells, upon their isolation and reculture, is lower than that for mIgG1+mIgE- cells suggesting a loss of CH gamma 1 expression in the former population. Analysis of total, unselected circular DNA excision products in LPS + IL-4-activated B cells demonstrates that most, if not all, of the DNA encoding the IgG1 constant heavy gene (CH gamma 1) (i.e., products of a class switch to IgE) have been rearranged. Collectively this data provides strong evidence at both the cellular and molecular level that the predominant mode of switching to IgE in response to in vitro stimulation by LPS + IL-4 is from IgM to IgG1 to IgE.

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Towards a comprehensive view of immunoglobulin class switching.

While it is well established that T cells play a prominent role in regulating Ig isotype switching in response to T-cell-dependent (TD) antigens, the events which control this process in response to antigens that do not recruit antigen-specific T cells (T-cell-independent (TI) antigens) is less clear. In this article, Clifford Snapper and James Mond suggest that the nature of the B-cell activator, in combination with cytokines produced by antigen non-specific cells, including macrophages, NK cells, and polyclonally activated B cells, may play an important role in the process leading to Ig isotype switching in response to TI antigens.

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Lymphokine control of type 2 antigen response. IL-10 inhibits IL-5- but not IL-2-induced Ig secretion by T cell-independent antigens.

A supernatant derived from the Th2 clone D10.G4.1 (D10 supernatant) stimulated high numbers of Ig-secreting cells when added to dextran-conjugated anti-delta-antibody (anti-delta-dextran)-activated B cells but stimulated only marginal Ag-specific responses when added to B cells cultured with TNP-Ficoll. When anti-IL-10 antibody was added to cultures containing D10 supernatant, IL-5, and TNP-Ficoll, there was a significant increase in the numbers of anti-TNP-antibody producing cells, suggesting that at least a part of the inhibitory activity of D10 supernatant is mediated by IL-10. Addition of rIL-10 inhibited both TNP-Ficoll- and anti-delta-dextran-mediated Ig secretion that was stimulated in the presence of IL-5 but had no suppressive effect on IL-2-stimulated responses, indicating that its inhibitory effect was selective for a specific mode of B cell activation. Addition of IL-10 did not, however, inhibit anti-delta-dextran-stimulated B cell proliferation. The IL-10-induced-inhibition of Ig secretion was not due to suppression of IFN-gamma production, because the addition of IFN-gamma did not reverse the inhibition, nor did the addition of anti-IFN-gamma mimic the IL-10-mediated inhibition. These data suggest that a composite of lymphokines secreted by Th cells may contain both inhibitory and stimulatory activities. Sorting out the conditions under which stimulation or inhibition is seen may reveal additional diversity in Ag-stimulated pathways of B cell activation.

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Induction of IgG3 secretion by interferon gamma: a model for T cell-independent class switching in response to T cell-independent type 2 antigens.

T cell-independent type 2 (TI-2), in contrast to T-dependent, antigens stimulate the production of murine IgG3. To investigate a possible role for cytokines in mediating the induction of this IgG subclass, we established an in vitro polyclonal model system for studying TI-2 antigen-mediated B cell activation by using dextran-conjugated anti-IgD antibody (alpha delta-dex). We demonstrate that interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) stimulates, and interleukin 4 inhibits, the expression of IgG3 by alpha delta-dexactivated cells. The production of IFN-gamma by non-T cells in response to bacterial products, possibly capsular polysaccharides, may provide an explanation underlying the ability of TI antigens, which are unable to directly stimulate T cell-derived cytokines to induce Ig isotype switching.

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CD4+ subset regulation in viral infection. Preferential activation of Th2 cells during progression of retrovirus-induced immunodeficiency in mice.

Progressive lymphoproliferation and increasingly severe immunodeficiency are prominent features of a syndrome, designated mouse AIDS, which develops in susceptible strains of mice infected with the mixture of murine leukemia viruses, termed LP-BM5. Development of splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy, caused primarily by increases in B cell immunoblasts, requires the presence of CD4+ T cells and is assumed to be mediated by lymphokines produced by these cells inasmuch as progression of disease is markedly inhibited by treatment of infected mice with cyclosporin A. Studies of spleen cells from infected mice revealed spontaneous production of cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10) characteristic of Th0 (or a mixture of Th1 and Th2) T helper cells at 1 wk after infection. At later times, IFN-gamma and IL-2, characteristic products of Th1 helper clones, were expressed poorly, either spontaneously or after stimulation of cells with Con A. In contrast, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-10, cytokines typically synthesized by Th2 cells, were produced in response to Con A or spontaneously through 18 wk post-infection. Increased serum IgE levels and enhanced IL-10 mRNA expression were consistent with expression of Th2 cytokines at biologically significant levels in vivo. Selective depletion of T cell subsets before stimulation with Con A showed that CD4+ T cells were the primary source of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and, to a lesser extent, IFN-gamma in spleens and lymph nodes of normal or infected mice. These results suggest that persistent activation of CD4+ T cells with the lymphokine profile of Th2 helper clones is responsible for chronic B cell stimulation, down-regulation of Th1 cytokines, and impaired CD8+ T cell function in mouse AIDS. This provides the first demonstration that, like many parasitic infections, viruses encoding potent antigenic stimuli can markedly affect the balance of Th subset expression.

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IgE class switching is critically dependent upon the nature of the B cell activator, in addition to the presence of IL-4.

Cross-linkage of membrane IgD on resting murine B cells, by anti-IgD mAb conjugated to dextran (alpha delta-dex), induces high levels of proliferation, and in the presence of IL-2 or IL-5, Ig secretion in vitro. The structural and functional similarities between alpha delta-dex and TNP-Ficoll for B cell responses led us to propose that alpha delta-dex could provide a model system for studying B cell activation induced by T cell-independent, type II Ag. In this report, we study the effects of Ig class switch and differentiation factors on Ig isotype production by murine B cells activated by alpha delta-dex, and directly compare these to responses obtained after activation by LPS. We show that an IL-4-containing CD4+ T cell supernatant (Th2 SN) stimulates large increases in IgG1 and IgE production by LPS-activated B cells, but fails to stimulate detectable levels of IgE by alpha delta-dex-activated cells, despite inducing high levels of secreted IgM and IgG1. This is correlated with undetectable steady state levels of both germ-line and rearranged (productive) IgE-specific RNA in B cells stimulated with alpha delta-dex + Th2 SN. Alpha delta-dex is selective in its failure to costimulate IgE production in that IFN-gamma-containing T cell supernatant (Th1 SN) and transforming growth factor-beta-supplemented Th2 SN selectively stimulate a large IgG2a and IgA secretory response, respectively. Anti-IgD conjugated to Sepharose beads, in distinct contrast to dextran, costimulates a strong IgE response. These findings underscore the importance of the specific B cell activator, in addition to IL-4, in the regulation of IgE production.

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Cross-linkage of Ly-6A/E induces Ca2+ translocation in the absence of phosphatidylinositol turnover and mediates proliferation of normal murine B lymphocytes.

Ly-6A/E is a phosphatidylinositol (PI)-linked membrane protein whose expression is induced or upregulated on normal murine T and B cells by IFN-gamma. Cross-linkage of Ly-6A/E expressed on normal murine T cells stimulates Ca2+ translocation, and in the presence of a protein kinase C (PKC) activator, lymphokine secretion, and cellular proliferation. Utilizing an anti-Ly-6A/E mAb, we studied the effect of cross-linking Ly-6A/E on IFN-gamma-treated resting B cells, for Ca2+ translocation, PI turnover, and cellular proliferation. Since these events are known to be stimulated by cross-linkage of B cell membrane (m)Ig, we compared the changes mediated through these respective membrane proteins. We show that cross-linkage of B cell Ly-6A/E stimulates a large, rapid, and sustained increase in the concentration of intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) comparable in magnitude, though somewhat delayed, relative to that observed after cross-linking of mIg. Cross-linkage of B cell Ly-6A/E does not, however, stimulate detectable PI turnover, in contrast to PI turnover induced by ligation of mIg. Both the Ly-6A/E- and mIg-mediated increase in [Ca2+]i occur through mobilization of internal Ca2+ stores as well as entry of Ca2+ into the cell from the extracellular compartment. Ly-6A/E-mediated Ca2+ translocation appears to be under the regulation of PKC in that short term pretreatment of B cells with the PKC activator, PMA, inhibits the Ly-6A/E- as well as the mIg-mediated increase in [Ca2+]i, whereas prolonged exposure to PMA, under conditions that lead to depletion of PKC, results in an augmentation in Ca2+ translocation after ligation of either Ly-6A/E or mIg. Co-capping studies indicate that Ly-6A/E and mIg cap independently in the B cell membrane, thus suggesting that the Ly-6A/E-induced effects on Ca2+ translocation are not mediated through simultaneous modulation of mIg. Anti-Ly6A/E, by itself, does not stimulate an increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation by IFN-gamma-treated resting B cells, but induces a striking increase in the presence of PMA. By contrast, anti-Ig by itself stimulates significant increases in [3H]thymidine incorporation that is inhibited by PMA. Thus, Ly-6A/E is a potent mediator of B cell activation that may use a signal transduction system in quiescent B cells that is distinct from that of the Ag receptor.

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Lack of Fc epsilon RII expression by murine B cells after in vivo immunization is directly associated with Ig secretion and not Ig isotype switching.

The "low affinity" Fc receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RII) has been reported to be absent from normal murine and human B cells that express a membrane (m)Ig isotype other than mIgM or mIgD in vivo. This would suggest that Fc epsilon RII expression is specifically lost after in vivo Ig isotype switching. We demonstrate that during a murine immune response to the bacterium Brucella abortus, to goat anti-mouse IgD (G alpha M delta) antibody, or to infection with the nematode parasites Nippostrongylus brasilienis or Heligmosomoides polygyrus, Fc epsilon RII expression is low or absent on virtually all B cells secreting IgM, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgE. However, up to 50% of B cells that express mIgG1 after G alpha M delta injection continue to express Fc epsilon RII. These mIgG1 + Fc epsilon RII+ cells secrete little, if any, IgG1 when placed in vitro, in contrast to their mIgG1 + Fc epsilon RII- counterparts. The mIgG1 + Fc epsilon RII+ cells may be a transitional cell population, because they undergo substantial loss of Fc epsilon RII in culture, unlike mIgM+ Fc epsilon RII+ cells, which maintain constant levels of Fc epsilon RII throughout a comparable culture period. Thus, low or absent expression of Fc epsilon RII after immunization in vivo is directly associated with B cell differentiation to Ig production in the presence or absence of Ig isotype switching. However, all post-switched B cells may eventually lack Fc epsilon RII expression, independently of their differentiative state.

Animals↗

Dextran-conjugated anti-Ig antibodies as a model for T cell-independent type 2 antigen-mediated stimulation of Ig secretion in vitro. I. Lymphokine dependence.

We have previously demonstrated that dextran-conjugated anti-IgD antibodies (anti-delta-dex) stimulate high levels of B cell proliferation at concentrations that are 1000-fold lower than that required by unconjugated anti-Ig. We now show that anti-delta-dex may provide a suitable model to study Ig secretion stimulated by soluble T cell-independent type 2 Ag exemplified by TNP-Ficoll. Thus, both TNP-Ficoll and anti-delta-dex stimulate low to undetectable levels of Ig secretion when cultured with resting B cells. Addition of IL-5 or IL-2 stimulated enhanced anti-TNP responses in the presence of TNP-Ficoll, or induced polyclonal Ig secretion in the presence of anti-delta-dex. Both TNP-Ficoll and anti-delta-dex conjugates stimulated Ig production by Percoll-separated low density (partially activated) B cells in the absence of added lymphokines. These findings point to the similarities in the activation requirements of TNP-Ficoll and anti-delta-dex and suggest that dextran-anti-Ig conjugates, which can induce B cell activation irrespective of Ag specificity, may provide a useful model for studying various parameters that characterize the responses to soluble TI type 2 Ag.

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Induction of Ly-6A/E expression by murine lymphocytes after in vivo immunization is strictly dependent upon the action of IFN-alpha/beta and/or IFN-gamma.

Ly-6A/E is a phosphatidylinositol-linked membrane protein which mediates murine T and B cell signalling. IFN-gamma, IFB-alpha/beta, LPS, and IL-4 have all been reported to induce or upregulate Ly-6A/E by normal lymphocytes. Since no systematic study has addressed the stimulant selectivity of Ly-6A/E expression by murine lymphocytes nor investigated its induction and regulation during primary in vivo immune responses we analyzed in vitro Ly-6A/E expression after murine stimuli and during a number of distinct in vivo immunizations. We show that LPS induces B cell Ly-6A/E in vitro by stimulating the release of IFN-alpha/beta by 'contaminating' adherent cells. In the presence of anti-IFN-gamma + anti-IFN-alpha/beta antibodies, no Ly-6A/E was induced upon addition of multiple cytokines, including IL-4, or mitogenic doses of anti-Ig antibody. Furthermore, IFN-gamma-containing, CD4+ T cell (Th1) supernatants potently induced Ly-6A/E by murine B cells whereas IL-4-containing (Th2) supernatants were either weak or ineffective; anti-IFN-gamma + anti-IFN-alpha/beta inhibited Ly-6A/E induction by both Th1 and Th2 supernatants. Immunization of mice with Brucella abortus or poly (I).poly (C) resulted in induction of Ly-6A/E expression by virtually all B and T cells, whereas injection of G alpha M delta led to peak induction of Ly-6A/E by approximately 50% of both B and T cells. Lymphocytes from mice infected with the nematode parasites Nippostrongylus brasiliensis or Heligmosomoides polygyrus expressed no Ly-6A/E.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Rapid loss of IgM expression by normal murine B cells undergoing IgG1 and IgE class switching after in vivo immunization.

Injection of mice with polyclonal goat anti-mouse IgD antibody (G alpha M delta) stimulates a potent T cell-dependent immune response characterized by large increases in serum IgG1 and IgE concentrations and by the generation of substantial numbers of membrane (m)IgG1+ B cells. The onset of this response occurs 6 days after G alpha M delta injection and peaks by day 7 to 8. Utilizing two color fluorescence analysis and cell sorting we demonstrate that most mIgG1-expressing B cells lack mIgM during the period of onset of Ig isotype switching (day 6). Both IgG1 and IgE are produced predominantly by mIgM- cells. On day 6, IgG1 and IgE are secreted predominantly by cells expressing mIgG1 and mIgE, respectively. By day 8, a majority of the IgG1 secretion occurs among the mIgG1- cells but virtually all IgE secretion continues to come from the mIgE+ population. B cells that strongly express mIgG1 secrete little IgM or IgE. Freshly harvested B cells expressing mIgG1, 6 days after G alpha M delta injection, have undergone substantial deletion of CH mu-specific DNA in contrast to their mIgG1- counterparts. Hence, the great majority of B cells that switch to the IgG1 or IgE isotypes in vivo rapidly lose their expression of IgM.

Animals↗

Murine B cells expressing Thy-1 after in vivo immunization selectively secrete IgE.

IL-4 induces Thy-1 expression and IgE secretion by LPS--and T cell-stimulated murine B cells in vitro. IFN-gamma inhibits both of these IL-4-mediated effects. IL-4 and IFN-gamma are often exclusively produced by different CD4+ T cell subsets. Injection of mice with a polyclonal goat anti-mouse IgD antibody (GaM delta) stimulates large increases in the serum concentration of IgE through the production of IL-4. Neutralization of endogenous IFN-gamma production in GaM delta-injected mice leads to further increases in serum IgE levels. We show that IL-4 and IFN-gamma, produced after GaM delta injection, respectively, stimulate and inhibit the number of splenic B cells expressing Thy-1 in vivo. Increased numbers of Thy-1-expressing B cells are observed concomitantly with the onset of enhanced IgE secretion. These Thy-1-expressing B cells are highly and selectively enriched for IgE-secreting cells.

Animals↗

Regulation of murine B cell Thy-1 expression by IL-4, IFN-gamma, and CD4+ T cell subsets.

Interleukin 4 (IL-4) induces the expression of membrane Thy-1 on the vast majority of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated normal murine B cells in vitro. This induction is inhibited by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). IL-4 and IFN-gamma are required late in culture to effect maximal induction and inhibition of Thy-1 expression by LPS- or LPS + IL-4-stimulated B cells, respectively. IFN-gamma suppresses IL-4-induced Thy-1 expression by inhibiting the induction of steady-state levels of Thy-1-specific mRNA. Three distinct CD4+ Th2 clones, through their release of IL-4, induce B cells to express high levels of Thy-1, by 24 hr, in striking contrast to the 3 days required to induce Thy-1 expression after stimulation with LPS and IL-4. This induction is abrogated by the addition of IFN-gamma. B cells stimulated with three distinct Th1 clones (IFN-gamma- and IL-2-producing) exhibit a modest, non-IL-4-dependent, expression of Thy-1. In contrast to intrinsic expression of Thy-1 by Th2-stimulated B cells. Thy-1 expressed by Th1-stimulated B cells is acquired, having the allotype specificity of the stimulating T cell.

Animals↗

Differential regulation of murine B cell Fc gamma RII expression by CD4+ T helper subsets.

The murine B cell FcR for IgG (Fc gamma RII) is a membrane glycoprotein reported to mediate inhibition of B cell activation and differentiation. We show that IL-4 inhibits the enhanced expression of Fc gamma RII by LPS-stimulated B cells. This activity is completely reversed by anti-IL-4 mAb and is specific, in that multiple other lymphokines tested do not exert a similar effect. This effect of IL-4 is apparent by day 1 of culture, although maximal inhibition occurs on day 4 at a concentration of 500 U/ml. The IL-4-induced inhibition of enhanced Fc gamma RII expression by LPS stimulation observed on day 4 of culture is associated with a significant reduction in the steady state level of Fc gamma RII beta gene-specific mRNA. IFN-gamma which inhibits many of the effects of IL-4 on B cells, does not reverse the IL-4-induced inhibition of Fc gamma RII membrane expression nor the levels of beta gene-specific mRNA. Fc gamma RII expression is significantly increased in B cells stimulated with antigen-specific, CD4+ T cell clones of the Th1 type (i.e., IL-2 and IFN-gamma-producing). By contrast, three different Th2 clones (i.e., IL-4-producing) fail to stimulate an increase in Fc gamma RII levels. Anti-IL-4 mAb significantly enhanced Fc gamma RII expression by Th2-stimulated B cells indicating that IL-4 was the active, inhibitory, substance produced by the Th2 cells. Supernatants from stimulated Th2 clones inhibited the enhanced expression of Fc gamma RII by LPS-stimulated B cells and this activity was completely reversed by anti-IL-4 mAb. By contrast, supernatants from stimulated Th1 clones further enhanced Fc gamma RII expression by LPS-stimulated B cells. The differential regulation of B cell Fc gamma RII expression by Th subsets may play an important role in the regulation of humoral immunity by altering the sensitivity of B cells to IgG immune complex-mediated inhibition of B cell activation and differentiation in vivo.

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