Inhibition of B lymphocyte activation by interferon-gamma.

DS Reynolds, WH Boom, AK Abbas - Journal of immunology …, 1987 - journals.aai.org
DS Reynolds, WH Boom, AK Abbas
Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md.: 1950), 1987journals.aai.org
Helper/inducer T cell clones specific for protein antigens and class II MHC determinants
consist of two nonoverlapping subsets. One (called Th1) secretes IL 2 and IFN-gamma and
the other (Th2) produces BSF1 upon stimulation with antigen or polyclonal activators. By
using hapten-binding normal B cells and the B lymphoma line WEHI-279 as assays for B cell
helper (maturation) factors, we have shown that Th2 clone supernatants (SN) induce
differentiation to antibody secretion, whereas Th1 SN do not. The failure of Th1 SN to …
Abstract
Helper/inducer T cell clones specific for protein antigens and class II MHC determinants consist of two nonoverlapping subsets. One (called Th1) secretes IL 2 and IFN-gamma and the other (Th2) produces BSF1 upon stimulation with antigen or polyclonal activators. By using hapten-binding normal B cells and the B lymphoma line WEHI-279 as assays for B cell helper (maturation) factors, we have shown that Th2 clone supernatants (SN) induce differentiation to antibody secretion, whereas Th1 SN do not. The failure of Th1 SN to activate B cells is due to inhibitory effects of IFN-gamma, because it can be reversed by a neutralizing monoclonal antibody specific for IFN-gamma. Thus, in the presence of this antibody, even Th1 SN stimulate B cell maturation maximally. Conversely, recombinant IFN-gamma inhibits proliferation and differentiation of B cells induced by active Th2 SN. These results demonstrate that IFN-gamma is a potent inhibitor of B lymphocyte activation and can be distinguished from growth and maturation-inducing helper factors that are produced by both subsets of helper T cells.
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