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In this study, we investigated the relationship between several growth factors and inflammation development. Serum concentrations of epiregulin, amphiregulin, betacellulin, TGF-α, fibroblast growth factor 2, placental growth factor (PLGF), and tenascin C were increased in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Furthermore, local blockades of these growth factors suppressed the development of cytokine-induced arthritis in mice by inhibiting chemokine and IL-6 expressions. We found that epiregulin expression was early and followed by the induction of other growth factors at different sites of the joints. The same growth factors then regulated the expression of epiregulin at later time points of the arthritis. These growth factors were increased in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) and also played a role in the development of an MS model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. The results suggest that the temporal expression of growth factors is involved in the inflammation development seen in several diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and MS. Therefore, various growth factor pathways might be good therapeutic targets for various inflammatory diseases., (Copyright © 2015 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.)

Viral infection often triggers asthma exacerbation and contributes to airway remodeling. Cell signaling in viral infection is mainly mediated through TLR3. Many mediators are involved in airway remodeling, but matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key players in this process in asthma. However, the role of TLR3 activation in production of MMPs is unknown. In this study, we examined the effects of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)], a ligand for TLR3, on production of MMPs in human lung fibroblasts, with a focus on nitrosative stress in TLR3 modulation of MMP production. After lung fibroblasts were treated with poly(I:C), production of MMP-1, -2, and -9 and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) was assessed. The roles of NF-κB and IFN regulatory factor-3 (IRF-3) in the poly(I:C)-mediated production of MMPs and the responsiveness to poly(I:C) of normal lung fibroblasts and asthmatic lung fibroblasts were also investigated. Poly(I:C) augmented production of MMPs and iNOS in fibroblasts, and an iNOS inhibitor diminished this production of MMPs. Poly(I:C) stimulated translocation of NF-κB and IRF-3 into the nucleus in fibroblasts and inhibition of NF-κB or IRF-3 abrogated the poly(I:C)-induced increase in both iNOS expression and release of MMPs. Poly(I:C)-induced production of iNOS and MMPs was greater in asthmatic fibroblasts than in normal fibroblasts. We conclude that viral infection may induce nitrosative stress and subsequent MMP production via NF-κB- and IRF-3-dependent pathways, thus potentiating viral-induced airway remodeling in asthmatic airways., (Copyright © 2014 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.)

The IL-6-amplifier first was discovered as a synergistic activation mechanism for NF-κB/STAT3 in type 1 collagen(+) cells. This process is marked by the hyperinduction of chemokines and subsequent local inflammation that leads to autoimmune diseases. In this study, we show that IL-6 amplifier activation in grafts plays important roles in allogeneic graft rejection by using a tracheal heterotopic transplantation model that includes bronchiolitis obliterans, a pathological marker for chronic rejection. IL-6, epidermal growth factor, and IFN-γ all stimulate IL-6 amplifier activation, whereas CCL2, a chemotactic factor for Th1 cells, was one of the amplifier's main targets. Interestingly, IFN-γ hyperinduced CCL2 in type 1 collagen(+) cells via the IL-6 amplifier at least in vitro. In addition, we detected IL-6, CCL2, phospho-STAT3, and phospho-NF-κB in epithelial type 1 collagen(+) cells of allogeneic tracheal grafts. These results show that IL-6 amplifier activation in grafts plays a critical role for graft rejection responses after allogeneic transplantation, including chronic rejection. From these results, we consider whether the IL-6 amplifier in grafts might be a valuable therapeutic target for the prevention of transplant rejection, including chronic rejection.

Mast cells are major players in allergic responses. IgE-dependent activation through FcεR leads to degranulation and cytokine production, both of which require Gab2. To clarify how the signals diverge at Gab2, we established Gab2 knock-in mice that express Gab2 mutated at either the PI3K or SH2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-2 (SHP2) binding sites. Examination of these mutants showed that both binding sites were required for the degranulation and anaphylaxis response but not for cytokine production or contact hypersensitivity. Furthermore, the PI3K, but not the SHP2, binding site was important for granule translocation during degranulation. We also identified a small GTPase, ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF)1, as the downstream target of PI3K that regulates granule translocation. FcεRI stimulation induced ARF1 activation, and this response was dependent on Fyn and the PI3K binding site of Gab2. ARF1 activity was required for FcεRI-mediated granule translocation. These data indicated that Fyn/Gab2/PI3K/ARF1-mediated signaling is specifically involved in granule translocation and the anaphylaxis response.

Zinc (Zn) is an essential nutrient, and its deficiency causes growth retardation, immunodeficiency, and neuronal degeneration. However, the precise roles and molecular mechanism(s) of Zn function in immune response have not been clarified. Mast cells (MCs) are granulated cells that play a pivotal role in allergic reactions and inflammation. The granules of MCs contain various chemical mediators and inflammatory cytokines that are released upon FcepsilonRI cross-linking. In this study, we report that Zn is essential for MC activation both in vitro and in vivo. We showed that a Zn chelator, N,N,N,N-tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl) ethylenediamine, inhibited in vivo allergic reactions such as PCA and PSA. Consistent with this, N,N,N,N-tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl) ethylenediamine significantly inhibited the FcepsilonRI-induced degranulation and cytokine production. We found that Zn was required for FcepsilonRI-induced translocation of granules to the plasma membrane, a process that we have shown to be important for MC degranulation. In addition, we showed that Zn was essential for plasma membrane translocation of protein kinase C and subsequent nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB, leading to cytokine production, such as IL-6 and TNF-alpha. These results revealed that Zn was involved in multiple steps of FcepsilonRI-induced MC activation and required for degranulation and cytokine production.

IL-2 is a potent immunostimulant and has been tested for clinical use, including in immunotherapy for cancers and HIV infection. Here we show that a widely used neutralizing anti-murine IL-2 mAb (S4B6) exhibits unexpected activities that enhance the treatment effects of IL-2 in vivo. Coinjection of the anti-IL-2 mAb with a plasmid carrying murine IL-2 cDNA significantly increased the serum IL-2 levels and induced a substantial increase in the division of CD8+ T and NK1.1(high) cells in vivo. Injection of the mAb premixed with recombinant murine IL-2 showed the same enhanced effect. A 5-day treatment with the anti-IL-2 mAb alone gradually increased the CD44(high)CD8+ population, and the increased population was maintained for >300 days, suggesting that the mAb can gradually maintain and potentially enhance the bioactivity of endogenous IL-2 for extended periods. Furthermore, combined treatment with the anti-IL-2 mAb plus the IL-2 plasmid markedly enhanced Ag-specific CTL activity in vivo and partially protected mice from tumor metastasis to the lungs, compared with the anti-IL-2 mAb or IL-2 plasmid alone. These results demonstrated IL-2-enhancing effects of the anti-IL-2 mAb in vivo and suggest that combining a neutralizing anti-IL-2 Ab with IL-2 gene delivery might be used effectively to enhance IL-2 functions in clinical applications.

The homeostasis of memory CD8+ T cells is regulated by cytokines. IL-15 is shown to promote the proliferation of memory CD8+ T cells, while IL-2 suppresses their division in vivo. This inhibitory effect of IL-2 appears to occur indirectly, through other cell populations including CD25+CD4+ T cells; however, the details of this mechanism remain unclear. In this study, we show that 1) both Ag-experienced and memory phenotype CD8+ T cells divided after the depletion of IL-2 in vivo; 2) this division occurred normally and CD44(high)IL-2/15Rbeta(high) CD8+ T cells generated after IL-2 depletion in IL-15 knockout (KO) and in IL-7-depleted IL-15 KO mice; 3) surprisingly, the blockade of IL-2/15Rbeta signaling in IL-2-depleted IL-15 KO mice completely abolished the division of memory CD8+ T cells, although the only cytokines known to act through IL-2/15Rbeta are IL-2 and IL-15; and 4) the expression of IL-2/15Rbeta molecules on memory CD8+ T cells was required for their division induced by IL-2 depletion. These results demonstrate that the depletion of IL-2 in vivo induced memory CD8+ T cell division by an IL-15-independent but by an IL-2/15Rbeta-dependent mechanism, suggesting the existence of a novel IL-2/15Rbeta-utilizing cytokine that acts directly on memory CD8+ T cells to promote cell division.

It was recently demonstrated that there are CD4(+) macrophages, which exhibit strong phagocytic activity, in the thymus. They are suggested to play an important role for the elimination of apoptotic thymocytes. However, the origin and nature of CD4(+) macrophages in the thymus remain unexplored. In this study, we describe that the most immature intrathymic progenitors (CD25(-)/CD44(+)/FcR(+)) give rise to CD4(+) macrophages by oncostatin M-responsive thymic epithelial cells (ORTEC) in an IL-7-dependent manner. Neither conditioned medium of ORTEC nor a mixture of cytokines induced CD4(+) macrophages, and oncostatin M receptor was not expressed in thymocytes, suggesting that the development of CD4(+) macrophages from the immature thymocytes requires a direct interaction with ORTEC. These results collectively suggest that the development of CD4(+) macrophages from the intrathymic T cell progenitors is induced by thymic epithelial cells.

Dendritic cells (DCs) orchestrate immune responses according to their state of maturation. In response to infection, DCs differentiate into mature cells that initiate immune responses, while in the absence of infection, most of them remain in an immature form that induces tolerance to self Ags. Understanding what controls these opposing effects is an important goal for vaccine development and prevention of unwanted immune responses. A crucial question is what cytokine(s) regulates DC maturation in the absence of infection. In this study, we show that IL-6 plays a major role in maintaining immature DCs. IL-6 knockout (KO) mice had increased numbers of mature DCs, indicating that IL-6 blocks DC maturation in vivo. We examined this effect further in knockin mice expressing mutant versions of the IL-6 signal transducer gp130, with defective signaling through either Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase 2/Gab/MAPK (gp130(F759/F759)) or STAT3 (gp130(FxxQ/FxxQ)), and combined gp130 and IL-6 defects (gp130(F759/F759)/IL-6 KO mice). Importantly, we found STAT3 activation by IL-6 was required for the suppression of LPS-induced DC maturation. In addition, STAT3 phosphorylation in DCs was regulated by IL-6 in vivo, and STAT3 was necessary for the IL-6 suppression of bone marrow-derived DC activation/maturation. DC-mediated T cell activation was enhanced in IL-6 KO mice and suppressed in gp130(F759/F759) mice. IL-6 is thus a potent regulator of DC differentiation in vivo, and IL-6-gp130-STAT3 signaling in DCs may represent a critical target for controlling T cell-mediated immune responses in vivo., (Copyright 2004 The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.)

Grb2-associated binder 1 (Gab1) is a member of the Gab/daughter of sevenless family of adapter molecules involved in the signal transduction pathways of a variety of growth factors, cytokines, and Ag receptors. To know the role for Gab1 in hematopoiesis and immune responses in vivo, we analyzed radiation chimeras reconstituted with fetal liver (FL) cells of Gab1(-/-) mice, because Gab1(-/-) mice are lethal to embryos. Transfer of Gab1(-/-) FL cells of 14.5 days post-coitum rescued lethally irradiated mice, indicating that Gab1 is not essential for hematopoiesis. Although mature T and B cell subsets developed normally in the peripheral lymphoid organs, reduction of pre-B cells and increase of myeloid cells in the Gab1(-/-) FL chimeras suggested the regulatory roles for Gab1 in hematopoiesis. The chimera showed augmented IgM and IgG1 production to thymus-independent (TI)-2 Ag, although they showed normal responses for thymus-dependent and TI-1 Ags, indicating its negative role specific to TI-2 response. Gab1(-/-) splenic B cells stimulated with anti-delta-dextran plus IL-4 plus IL-5 showed augmented IgM and IgG1 production in vitro that was corrected by the retrovirus-mediated transfection of the wild-type Gab1 gene, clearly demonstrating the cell-autonomous, negative role of Gab1. Furthermore, we showed that the negative role of Gab1 required its Src homology 2-containing tyrosine phosphatase-2 binding sites. Cell fractionation analysis revealed that nonfollicular B cells were responsible for the augmented Ab production in vitro. Consistent with these results, the Gab1 gene was expressed in marginal zone B cells but not follicular B cells. These results indicated that Gab1 is a unique negative regulator specific for TI-2 responses.

We have previously reported an infiltration of renal interstitial gammadelta T cells in Adriamycin-induced progressive glomerulosclerosis in the rat kidney. The TCR repertoire and sequences used by these gammadelta T cells have now been studied. Two injections of Adriamycin 14 days apart caused segmental glomerulosclerosis, massive interstitial infiltration of mononuclear cells, and end-stage renal failure. Flow cytometry of lymphocyte subpopulations with Abs to CD3, the gammadelta TCR, and the alphabeta TCR showed that gammadelta T cells as a proportion of CD3(+) cells were increased in Adriamycin-treated kidneys (8.5 +/- 5.4%), but not in lymph nodes (1.3 +/- 0.4%). A semiquantitative score of glomerular damage (r = 0.65; p < 0.01) and creatinine (r = 0.62; p < 0.01) correlated significantly with the presence of gammadelta T cells. TCR Vgamma repertoire analysis by RT-PCR and Southern blotting showed that Vgamma2 was the dominant subfamily in lymph nodes, whereas Vgamma4 became the predominant subfamily in advanced stages of the rat Adriamycin-treated kidney. Sequencing of the Vgamma4-Jgamma junctional region showed an invariant sequence. The amino acid sequence of the junctional region of the Vgamma4 TCR was the same as the reported mouse canonical Vgamma4 TCR sequence. Analysis of the kidney Vdelta repertoire showed dominant expression of Vdelta1, and sequencing again revealed the selective expression of a canonical Vdelta1 gene. Semiquantitative RT-PCR for cytokine gene expression showed that gammadelta T cells from the kidneys expressed TGF-beta, but not IL-4, IL-10, or IFN-gamma. These results suggest that the predominant gammadelta T cells in the Adriamycin kidney use an invariant Vgamma4/Vdelta1 receptor.

CTLA-4 (CD152) is thought to be a negative regulator of T cell activation. Little is known about the function of CTLA-4 in Th2-type immune responses. We have investigated the effect of initial treatment with anti-CTLA-4 mAb on murine chronic graft-vs-host disease. Transfer of parental BALB/c splenocytes into C57BL/6 x BALB/c F1 mice induced serum IgE production, IL-4 expression by donor CD4+ T cells, and host allo-Ag-specific IgG1 production at 6-9 wk after transfer. Treatment with anti-CTLA-4 mAb for the initial 2 wk significantly reduced IgE and IgG1 production and IL-4 expression. Analysis of the splenic phenotype revealed the enhancement of donor T cell expansion, especially within the CD8 subset, and the elimination of host cells early after anti-CTLA-4 mAb treatment. This treatment did not affect early IFN-gamma expression by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and anti-host cytolytic activity. Thus, blockade of CTLA-4 greatly enhanced CD8+ T cell expansion, and this may result in the regulation of consequent Th2-mediated humoral immune responses. These findings suggest a new approach for regulating IgE-mediated allergic immune responses by blockade of CTLA-4 during a critical period of Ag sensitization.

Bone marrow stromal cell Ag-1 (BST-1; CD157)-deficient mice were generated to examine the immunologic roles of the molecule in vivo. In BST-1(-/-) mice, the development of peritoneal B-1 cells was delayed, and CD38(low/-) B-lineage cells were increased in the bone marrow and spleen. Partial impairment of thymus-independent (TI-2) and thymus-dependent (TD) Ag-specific immune responses was noted in the systemic and mucosal compartments of BST-1(-/-) mice, respectively. Although serum Ig levels as well as TD and TI-1 Ag-specific systemic immune responses were normal, the TI-2 Ag-induced IgG3 response was selectively impaired. Oral immunization of BST-1(-/-) mice with cholera toxin, a potent TD Ag for the induction of IgA response, resulted in the poor production of Ag-specific Abs at the intestinal mucosa accompanied by the reduced number of Ag-specific IgA-producing cells in the lamina propria. These results indicate that BST-1 has roles in B cell development and Ab production in vivo.

We have examined herein whether membrane Ig (mIg) stimulates junB transcription through a protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent or PKA-independent pathway. PKA phosphotransferase activity was not increased following mIg cross-linking of Bal17 B cells. However, junB transcriptional activation was dependent upon PKA activity, as evidenced by inhibition of goat anti-mouse IgM-stimulated junB promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene activity in transfected Bal17 B cells treated with the PKA inhibitor H-89. mIg-stimulated junB promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity was also blocked in B cells expressing a specific PKA inhibitor peptide, whereas in vivo expression of an inactive PKA inhibitor peptide variant was not inhibitory. Expression of a mutant cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) containing an inactivated kinase A phosphoacceptor site at Ser133 reduced mIg-stimulated junB transcription. Okadaic acid increased CREB1 phosphorylation at Ser133 and junB transcriptional activation, suggesting the action of protein phosphatase-1 (PP-1) or -2A (PP-2A). Extracts from unstimulated B cells exhibited phosphatase activity against an in vitro PKA-phosphorylated peptide containing the Ser133 phosphoacceptor site. The involvement of a phosphatase activity in regulating mIg-stimulated junB transcription is supported by our finding that extracts from goat anti-mouse IgM-stimulated B cells exhibited a significantly reduced level of Ser133 phosphatase activity. Hence, the level of CREB1 phosphorylation is governed by the balance between PKA and phosphatase activities. junB transcriptional activation results in part from mIg signals that negatively regulate a CREB1-targeted PP-1 or PP-2A activity.

The experiments presented herein were designed to understand the molecular mechanism(s) by which membrane Ig (mIg)-dependent signals are integrated at the level of the junB promoter to induce gene transcription. Functional studies using chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene constructs that contained deleted 5' flanking region junB sequences identified a region located between -194 and -87 that contains an Ets binding site and a putative cAMP response element binding site (CRE-like). Point mutagenesis of the CRE-like site blocked junB promoter activation in response to mIg cross-linking in mature Bal17 B cells. Nuclear extract binding activity to a synthetic oligonucleotide containing the junB CRE-like site was detected in unstimulated B cells and was increased in response to mIg cross-linking. Binding activity was competed with unlabeled oligonucleotides that contained the junB CRE-like site or the somatostatin CRE consensus motif, the latter observation suggests that members of the activating transcription factor/CRE binding protein (CREB) family may mediate mIg-dependent junB transcription. Consistent with this interpretation, recombinant CREB and activating transcription factor proteins bound the junB CRE-like site, but did not interact with a mutant CRE-like site. Expression of a dominant negative CREB protein blocked mIg-mediated transcription from a junB CRE-like site-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene. CRE-like nucleoprotein complexes from Bal17 B cells contained constitutively bound CREB-1, which was phosphorylated on serine 133 in response to mIg cross-linking. Activating transcription factor-1 protein was also constitutively expressed in CRE-like nucleoprotein complexes. Collectively, these results suggest that components of the protein kinase A signaling pathway are recruited by mIg to induce junB transcription.

Previously, we described the characteristics of a cell line that is derived from a low density fraction of human tonsillar cells and, on the basis of a number of criteria, is related to follicular dendritic cells (FDC). This line, FDC-1, binds B lymphocytes and not T lymphocytes, and promotes anti-Ig- or anti-CD40-induced B cell proliferation. In this work, we show that culturing B cells with small numbers of FDC-1 cells leads to significant production of IL-6 and of both IgM and IgG. As few as 50 to 100 FDC-1 augmented B cell IgM production by 10- to 100-fold. Although fixed FDC-1 cells, unlike live FDC-1 cells, do not stimulate Ig production, cell contact is not required for all FDC-dependent Ig production. Supernatants from cultured FDC-1 cells can also stimulate B cells to produce IgM, suggesting that FDC produce a soluble B cell stimulating factor(s). Augmentation of FDC-dependent IgM production by either IL-6 or IL-7 and augmentation of FDC-dependent IgG production by IL-4 does require FDC-1 cells to be in contact with B cells. When the effects of FDC-1 cells were compared with those of epithelial cell lines and human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF), both FDC-1 cells and HFF induced B cells to produce IgM. FDC-1, unlike HFF, were positive for CD40, CD54, CD73, CD74, and nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR), and unlike HFF, but like certain stromal cells, FDC-1 cells also expressed smooth muscle actin, and a novel marker for stromal cells, BST-1. The possible relationship of FDC-1 cells and FDC in general to a fibroblast/stromal cell lineage is discussed.

Induction of a graft-vs-host reaction in irradiated (BALB/c X C57BL/6)F1 mice (CBF1 mice) with bone marrow cells (BMC) plus spleen cells of BALB/c mice leads to bone marrow transplantation--GVHD (BMT-GVHD). BMT-GVHD is characterized by liver disease, splenomegaly, and hypergammopathy. In addition, we found that increased serum IgE and IgG1 levels were correlated with BMT-GVHD such as liver disease and splenomegaly. The allotype of increased IgE levels in BMT-GVHD was IgEa of donor origin, not IgEb of host origin. We also found that in the thymus of murine BMT-GVHD, the CD4+ CD8+ double-positive T cells were decreased, but the CD4+ CD8- or CD4- CD8+ single-positive T cells were increased. Interestingly, double-positive T cells appeared in the spleen, suggesting that abnormal T cell differentiation existed in murine BMT-GVHD. When the recipients were treated with anti-IL-4 Ab (11B11), the increase of IgE and IgG1 was markedly reduced and liver disease and splenomegaly were also prevented. Moreover, abnormal T cell differentiation and maturation were suppressed. These observations suggest that IL-4 plays an important role in immunoregulation or pathogenesis of allogeneic effects, and 11B11 prevents immunodysfunction including T cell differentiation in the thymus or the spleen and autoimmune symptoms in murine BMT-GVHD.

Some viral products interfere with host antiviral defense mechanisms. Adenovirus E1A represses IFN signal transduction pathways which induces gene activation and an antiviral state. Both IFN and IL-6 activate Jak/Tyk protein tyrosine kinases and the STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) family proteins. We showed that 12S E1A repressed IL-6 signals activating the junB promoter and the two IL-6 response elements (REs), JRE-IL6 and type II IL-6 RE (also called acute phase response element), required for IL-6-induced activation of the junB promoter and the type II acute phase reactant genes, respectively, in hepatocytes. Conserved region 1 of the 12S E1A was responsible for the repression. Target molecules of the repression by E1A appeared to be IL-6-inducible DNA-binding proteins acting on the IL-6 REs. In a rat 3Y1 cell line stably expressing E1A, the levels of IL-6-induced IL-6 RE binding proteins were severely reduced compared with those in a parental 3Y1 cell line. Moreover, we found that the levels of the STAT family proteins including Stat1-alpha (p91), Stat1-beta (p84), Stat2 (p113), and Stat3 were decreased by the stable expression of adenovirus E1A. The E1A-induced reduction in the amount of DNA-binding proteins seemed to be partly responsible for the decreased transcriptional activity of the IL-6 RE-driven gene expression in response to IL-6. This repression mechanism may be applicable to the E1A repression of IFN-gamma-induced gene activation.

In order to elucidate the pathologic significance of the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment in multiple myeloma (MM) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we established patient- or healthy donor (HD)-derived BM stromal cell lines by transfecting the plasmid for expression of SV40 large T Ag and examined their ability to support the stromal cell-dependent growth of a pre-B cell line, DW34. The means of recovered cell numbers of DW34 co-cultured with MM- and RA-derived BM stromal cell lines ranged from 6- to 10-fold more than those with HD-derived ones. Their enhanced ability to support DW34 cell growth was not caused by cytokines, including IL-6, IL-7, and c-kit ligand, although exogenous IL-7 could augment the growth-supporting ability. DW34 cell growth on the stromal cell lines was abolished by inhibiting cell-to-cell interaction with a membrane filter. FACS analysis revealed that the stromal cell lines did not express LFA-1 alpha, beta, NCAM, or ELAM-1. Both patient and HD BM stromal cell lines variably expressed ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and CD44. However, surface expression levels of these molecules did not correlate with the ability of the stromal cell lines to support DW34 cell growth. Taken together, these results suggested that BM microenvironment might play important roles in the pathogenesis of MM and RA.

In this report we demonstrate that retinoic acid (RA) down-regulated the number of IL-6R on human leukocyte cell lines, including the myeloma cell line AF10, and two B cell hybridomas that correspond to cells at earlier stages of B cell development. Using AF10 cells, whose growth was determined to be mediated by the autocrine action of IL-6, we found that RA reduction of IL-6R was concentration-dependent over a range of 10(-11) to 10(-5) M and corresponded to the ability of the retinoid to inhibit cell proliferation. The down-regulation of IL-6R number by RA was accompanied by reduced IL-6R mRNA expression. RA did not affect endogeneous IL-6 synthesis or secretion from AF10 cells. However, addition of exogenous rIL-6 could overcome RA-induced growth inhibition. Menthol, a structurally unrelated compound to RA, also suppressed IL-6R expression and, correspondingly, inhibited cell growth. Taken together, our results suggest that the antiproliferative action of RA on AF10 cells is caused by reduction of IL-6R expression and subsequent inhibition of IL-6-mediated autocrine growth. These findings suggest the possibility that down-regulation of IL-6R is a means by which RA can modulate immune function.

It is well established that increased numbers of plasma cells occur in the localized tissues of chronic inflammatory diseases such as adult periodontitis, and enzymatic isolation has shown that most B lineage cells produce IgG-subclass with some IgA-subclass responses. It would be of importance to determine if excess production of cytokines in the localized lesion account for these responses and in the present study we have assessed gingival mononuclear cell (GMC) supernatants for cytokines that activate B cells including IL-6R expression and for levels of IL-6 present. Inasmuch as limited numbers (approximately 1 to 3 x 10(6) cells) of GMC were obtained from surgically removed tissues (approximately 400 mg), we have focused on the analysis of IL-6 production by GMC in this study. Further, initial evidence of additional cytokines that are produced by GMC and induce expression of IL-6R on resting B cells has been obtained. The GMC and PBMC from individual patients were cultured in the presence (or absence) of Con A. Higher levels of IL-6 were produced spontaneously by GMC when compared with Con A-stimulated PBMC. When PBMC cultures were supplemented with GMC supernatants obtained from the same patient, high numbers of spot-forming cells (SFC), mainly of IgG followed by IgA isotype, were seen. The induction of SFC by GMC supernatants was inhibited by incubation with a goat anti-human IL-6 antibody. When the effect of GMC supernatants on subclasses of PBMC SFC was determined, the response was IgG1 greater than IgG2 greater than IgG3 = IgG4 and IgA1 greater than IgA2, a pattern remarkably similar to the distribution of plasma cells in the GMC itself. To assess for cytokines in GMC supernatants that mediated B cell activation, supernatants containing anti-IL-6 were cultured with PBMC or purified B cells for 72 h. This treatment induced small proliferative B cell responses and elevated expression of IL-6R on B cells, but did not induce SFC responses. Further, incubation of B cells with GMC supernatants induced resting B cells (G0/G1) to enter the cell cycle (S and G2/M). Addition of human rIL-6 to these cultures on day 3 restored IgG- and IgA-subclass SFC responses by day 7. Cytokine-induced IL-6R expression also occurred in vivo because freshly isolated GMC expressed high levels of this receptor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

IgE production was obtained from B cells of BALB/c or nude mice when these cells were cultured with IL-4 plus LPS. IL-2 added to these cultures at the start (day 0), 1 or 2 days later completely suppressed the production of IgE. The production of IgG1 was also inhibited, but only if IL-2 was added on day 0. The production of other isotypes (IgM, IgG2a, IgG2b) was only slightly decreased by addition of IL-2. No suppression of IgE or IgG1 production was observed if monoclonal anti-IL-2 was added, whereas anti-IFN-gamma had no effect on the suppression of the production of these isotypes. The expression of CD23 on the third day of culture on B cells stimulated with LPS and IL-4 was markedly decreased when IL-2 was added to the cultures on day 0. Addition of monoclonal anti-IL-2 suppressed all effects produced by IL-2, whereas addition of anti-IFN-gamma had no effect. These results show that the suppression by IL-2, at least for the first signaling processes, are different from the suppression produced by IFN-gamma.

We have devised a luminescence sandwich ELISA for the quantification of IL-6 in both sera and cell culture supernatants, which had a detection limit of 100 fg/ml of test sample. By using the luminescence sandwich-ELISA, low but measurable levels of IL-6 (9.5 pg/ml on average) were found in the sera from normal individuals. The serum levels of IL-6 were elevated in HIV-seropositive asymptomatic carriers (55.5 pg/ml on average), and the IL-6 levels were correlated with the degree of HIV-induced disease progression (AIDS-related complex 106.8 pg/ml on average and (AIDS 283 pg/ml). IL-6 immunoreactivity in the sera of AIDS patients eluted at a 25,000 m.w. major peak, which was biologically active and heat-stable, and a 500,000 m.w. minor peak in size-exclusion HPLC. Interestingly, a significant correlation was observed between the serum IL-6 levels and soluble IL-2R levels. In vitro, HIV infection of PHA-activated PBMC led to enhanced release of IL-6 into the culture supernatants. Moreover, soluble IL-2R release was markedly increased by adding exogenous IL-6, whereas it was decreased by adding the neutralizing anti-IL-6 mAb to the cultures. These results demonstrate that increased IL-6 levels are significantly associated with sIL-2R levels, and suggest a cause of the increased levels of this receptor in patients with HIV infection. Furthermore, both serum IL-6 and serum IL-2R levels in HIV infection reflect the stage of the HIV-induced disease.

To examine the possible involvement of IL-6 in bone metabolism, a mouse osteoblastic cell line (MC3T3-E1) and primary osteoblast-like cells from fetal mouse calvaria were cultured with several systemic and local bone-resorbing agents and their expression of IL-6 mRNA was determined. Local bone-resorbing agents such as IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and LPS greatly induced IL-6 mRNA expression in both MC3T3-E1 cells and primary osteoblast-like cells. Parathyroid hormone slightly increased expression of IL-6 mRNA in primary osteoblast-like cells but not in MC3T3-E1 cells. Neither IL-6 nor 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 increased expression of IL-6 mRNA in either of the osteoblast-like cells. In agreement with the expression of IL-6 mRNA, biologically active IL-6 was produced in response to the treatment with IL-1 alpha, TNF-alpha, and LPS in MC3T3-E1 cells. Adding IL-6 dose dependently stimulated the release of 45Ca from prelabeled fetal mouse calvaria. Simultaneously adding suboptimal concentrations of IL-6 and IL-1 alpha induced bone resorption cooperatively. In accord with the increase in the release of 45Ca by IL-6, there were three times as many osteoclasts in the bone sections of calvaria cultured with IL-6 for 5 days as in the controls. IL-6 slightly suppressed alkaline phosphatase activity and collagen synthesis in MC3T3-E1 cells. These results indicate that IL-6 is also produced by osteoblasts, preferentially in response to local bone-resorbing agents, and it induces bone resorption both alone and in concert with other bone-resorbing agents.

Polyclonal B cell activation is commonly observed in AIDS and in infection with HIV. Because IL-6 (B cell stimulatory factor 2) plays an essential role in the differentiation of activated B cells to Ig-secreting cells, and because IL-6 production is induced by exposure of human PBMC to HIV, we measured the level of circulating plasma IL-6, spontaneously-produced IL-6, and IL-6 mRNA in HIV-infected donors and in healthy control donors. Elevated levels of plasma IL-6 and IL-6 mRNA were detected in HIV-infected donors. PBMC isolated from the peripheral circulation of HIV-infected donors, and cultured without added exogenous activators of IL-6 production, produced markedly elevated amounts of IL-6 when compared with cells isolated from healthy donors. Interestingly, levels of an acute-phase protein, which is known to be induced by IL-6, was also increased in HIV-infected donors. These results demonstrate that elevated levels of IL-6 are associated with HIV-infection, and suggest that IL-6 over-production may contribute to the polyclonal B cell activation seen in AIDS and HIV infection.

Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC) induced proliferation of human B cells but did not lead the cells to differentiate to immunoglobulin (Ig)-producing cells. The differentiation of SAC-stimulated B cells to IgG-producing cells was totally dependent on T cells or T cell factor, designated B cell differentiation factor I (BCDF I). BCDF I exerted its effect on B cells between 48 and 72 hr after the initiation of the culture, at which time the 3H-TdR uptake of SAC-stimulated B cells had already reached a maximal level. Highly purified human IL 2 did not induce the differentiation of SAC-stimulated B cells for IgG-producing cells. Therefore the differentiation-inducing ability of BCDF I was not due to the residual T cells in a purified B cell preparation, which might have been activated by a possible contamination of IL 2 in the BCDF I preparation. The apparent m.w. of BCDF I was estimated to be 20,000 by gel filtration. Isoelectric focusing analysis showed that its activity was distributed in three fractions corresponding to pI 6.5, 7.0, and 8.0. In contrast, BCDF II, which induced IgG production in an Epstein Barr virus-transformed B lymphoblastoid cell line, was focused in the fractions with pI range of 4.8 to 5.5. Thus there are at least two different kinds of BCDF for human B cells, designated here as BCDF I and BCDF II.

At least two distinct B cell stimulatory factors (BSF) were found to be involved in the differentiation of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC)-stimulated human B cells to IgG-producing cells. A factor tentatively called B cell differentiation factor I (BCDF I) was found in one fraction, and a second factor, BCDF II was found in another fraction. The BCDF I fraction alone induces IgG-production in SAC-stimulated B cells, but the BCDF II fraction does not. The BCDF II fraction enhances IgG production in SAC-stimulated B cells in the presence of the BCDF I fraction. Studies concerning the time-course of the action of the BCDF II fraction revealed that it contains a late-acting differentiation factor that acts on B cells most effectively when it is added to the SAC-stimulated B cell culture after the addition of BCDF I fraction; it induces IgG plaque-forming cells within 1 day. The pI value of a late-acting BCDF was in the range of 5 to 6; this pI range is different from that of BCDF I but similar to that of BCDF II, which was shown in our previous studies to be able to induce IgG production in Epstein Barr Virus-transformed B lymphoblastoid cell lines. In addition, the m.w. of a late-acting BCDF were about 35,000 and 20,000, which are the same as those of BCDF II, and thus its identity with BCDF II was suggested.

IgG-PFC was induced in Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) by the addition of allogeneic T cells. T cells involved in the induction of IgG-PFC were shown to belong to the Leu 3a+/2a- T cell subset. Furthermore, partially purified soluble factors obtained from the culture supernatant of PPD-stimulated pleural T cells or PWM-stimulated tonsillar mononuclear cells was shown to induce IgG-PFC in LCL across the major histocompatibility complex barrier. The induction of IgG-PFC was observed only in surface IgG-positive LCL cell populations and was not accompanied by the increase in the number of LCL cells. The factors with such a TRF-like activity were found in two fractions corresponding to the m.w. range of 18,000 to 25,000 (22K fraction) and 28,000 to 38,000 (36K fraction) by gel filtration. Isoelectric focusing of these fractions revealed that TRF-like activity of both 22K and 36K fractions distributed in the pI range of 5.0 to 6.0, and both fractions were found to be devoid of TCGF activity. These results appear to indicate that the factors act on the B cells in terminal stages to trigger final differentiation to Ig-producing cells.

A human B cell clone (SGB3) responsive to IL 2 was established. Both recombinant IL 2 and B cell differentiation factor (BCDF) induced IgG secretion in SGB3 cells in a dose-dependent manner, but IL 2 did not affect the proliferation of SGB3 cells. FACS analysis showed that SGB3 cells expressed Tac antigen and anti-Tac antibody inhibited IL 2-induced IgG secretion without any inhibitory effect on BCDF-induced IgG secretion. These results showed that IL 2 could directly act on B cells and provide a differentiation signal through IL 2 receptors distinct from BCDF receptors. Physiologic relevance of IL 2 in the antibody response was discussed.

T cells obtained from pleural effusion of patients with tuberculous pleurisy were stimulated in vitro with PPD. The culture supernatant was shown to be substituted for T cells in PWM-induced IgG production by human B cells. As many as 0.5 to 3 x 10(9) lymphocytes were obtained from 1 patient, and about 85% of them were E-rosette positive, making it possible to purify human helper T cell factor(s) (ThF). Helper activity was sensitive to heating at 70 degrees C for 5 min and treatment with trypsin. ThF did not have conventional Ig determinants and was recovered in the 50 to 67% ammonium sulfate fraction. The purification was done by successive DEAE-Sephadex and CM-Sephadex ion-exchange chromatography, Sephadex G-100 gel filtration, and isoelectric focusing. It was shown that ThF activity was eluted by gel filtration in the fraction with a m.w. of about 20,000. Isoelectric focusing of this fraction revealed that ThF activity distributed in the pl range of 6.5 to 8.0, whereas TCGF activity was focused in a single peak at pI of 6.5, indicating the existence of a helper factor without TCGF activity.

The genomic clone of mouse IL-6 was isolated and compared with the human IL-6 gene. The comparison revealed that the mouse IL-6 consists of five exons and four introns and that the overall organization is similar to that of the human IL-6 gene although the third intron is about 2 kb longer. The sequence similarity in the coding region is about 60%, whereas the 3'-untranslated region and the first 300-bp sequence of the 5'-flanking region are highly conserved (greater than 80%). Several sequence blocks with high homology are also found in the introns. Furthermore, sequences similar to transcriptional enhancer elements such as the c-fos serum responsive element and the consensus sequences for cAMP induction, activator protein 1 binding, and the glucocorticoid receptor binding are identified within the highly conserved 5'-flanking regions of the genes from the two species. These sequences may play an important role in transcriptional activation of the IL-6 gene.

A protein termed IFN-beta 2, originally described on the basis of antiviral activity and antigenic cross-reactivity with the classical IFN-beta, is now known to be identical with the independently isolated B cell stimulatory factor (BSF-2). Earlier it was suggested that IFN-beta 2 (i.e., BSF-2) mediates the antiviral action of TNF in human fibroblasts. We examined Escherichia coli-derived recombinant preparations of human IFN-beta and BSF-2 for antiviral activity and plasmacytoma growth factor (PCT-GF) activity. IFN-beta had antiviral activity but showed no PCT-GF activity. BSF-2 showed potent PCT-GF activity but lacked antiviral activity. Antiviral activity of IFN-beta was neutralized by polyclonal antibodies and mAb to IFN-beta, but not by antibody to rBSF-2. PCT-GF activity of BSF-2 was neutralized by antibody to rBSF-2, but not by antibodies neutralizing the antiviral action of IFN-beta. Five mAb and a polyclonal antibody to human IFN-beta failed to react with BSF-2 in a solid phase RIA and antibody to BSF-2 did not react with IFN-beta. PCT-GF activity in supernatants of human FS-4 fibroblasts stimulated with TNF, IL-1 or poly(I).poly(C) was neutralized by antibody to rBSF-2, but not by antibodies neutralizing the antiviral activity of IFN-beta. Finally, the antiviral activity of TNF in FS-4 cultures was neutralized by antibodies to IFN-beta but not by antibodies to BSF-2. Taken together, these results support the view that the antiviral action of TNF in human fibroblasts is mediated by IFN-beta, and not by BSF-2/IFN-beta 2 that apparently lacks significant antiviral activity.

The effect of IL 2 on Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC)-driven IgG production of human B cells was examined by utilizing chromatographically purified IL 2 (R-IL 2) and the transcription product of the cloned cDNA for human IL 2 purified from recombinant E. coli (G-IL 2). Both preparations of IL 2 by themselves were not enough to induce optimal IgG-production in the SAC-stimulated tonsillar B cell fraction, which was highly enriched for B cells, but effectively induced IgG production in the presence of a subeffective number of T cells or a late-acting B cell differentiation factor (BCDF). In addition, the activity that induced IgG production in the presence of a subeffective number of T cells was absorbed with an IL 2-dependent mouse T cell line. These results clearly indicate that IL 2 has a definite effect on B cell differentiation in this system. Although the mechanisms of this effect remain to be elucidated, a direct effect of IL 2 on B cells may be involved, because the addition of IL 2 along with SAC induced a limited but significant increase of 3H-TdR incorporation in the highly enriched B cell population, which showed very little response to PHA and Con A even in the presence of IL 2, and, as mentioned above, IL 2 induced IgG production in the B cell preparation without any supplement of T cells provided the late-acting BCDF fraction was present in the culture.

During the in vitro development of cytotoxic lymphocytes (CL), suppressor cells also develop. Spleen cells or lymph node cells harvested from mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC) on day 2 (day-2 MLC) and added to a fresh MLC suppressed the development of CL. This suppressive effect was sensitive to treatment with anti-theta and C. The suppressive effect of day-2 MLC was not due to cytotoxic effects nor to altered kinetics of the development of both suppressor cells and CL. Although CL develop from hydrocortisone-treated spleen cells, day-2 MLC of hydrocortisone-treated spleen cells did not suppress the development of CL. These studies suggest that suppressor cells and CL are derived from different T cell subpopulations.

Human peripheral lymphocytes (PBL) upon stimulation with PWM proliferate and differentiate to IgM- and IgG-producing cells. The PWM-induced Ig production in B cells was dependent on T cells, and cell-free supernatant (CFS) obtained from PWM-stimulated PBL or T cell-rich fraction replaced T cell helper functions. The active substance(s) in CFS were most likely derived from T cells. The kinetic studies showed that the proliferation of B cells took place in advance of the final differentiation to Ig-producing cells and that T cells or T cell product(s) had to exist at the initiation of cultures in order to give the maximum helper effect. However, the final differentiation of B cells to Ig-producing cells was not dependent on T cells. The helper effect of T cells or T cell product(s) on PWM-induced proliferation and differentiation of B cells was exerted across the MHC barrier. This may make it possible to apply this experimental system to the assessment of quantitative and/or qualitative changes in human helper T cells in several immunologic diseases.

The presence of receptors specific for murine B cell stimulatory factor 1 (BSF1) was demonstrated by utilizing an internally radiolabeled recombinant BSF1. Radiolabeled BSF1 was efficiently produced in Xenopus laevis oocytes injected with a cloned mRNA for BSF1 and 35S-methionine. The labeled BSF1 specifically bound to splenic B cells. A Scatchard analysis indicated the existence of one class of receptor sites. BSF1 receptors were found to be distributed on a wide range of hematopoietic lineage cells, including B cells, T cells, macrophages, and mast cells. B cells from CBA/N mice with the xid gene defect had a similar level of BSF1 binding capacity compared with BALB/c strain B cells, and responded well to insoluble anti-Ig and BSF1 in proliferation assays, indicating that CBA/N B cells express functional BSF1 receptors at normal levels. Pre-B cell lines showed low levels of BSF1 binding, suggesting that cells in the B cell lineage acquire BSF1 responsiveness early in development.

Polyclonal B cell activation is commonly observed in AIDS and in infection with HIV. The effect of HIV on the induction of B cell stimulatory factor 2 (BSF-2) production was examined, since BSF-2 plays an essential role in the differentiation of activated B cells to Ig-secreting cells. Increased BSF-2 mRNA levels and increased BSF-2 secretion were observed soon after exposure of mononuclear cells isolated from healthy donors to both "live" and inactivated HIV. HIV-induced BSF-2 production was seen in monocyte/macrophages, but not in T cells. These results suggest that the HIV-induced overproduction of BSF-2 might contribute to the polyclonal B cell activation seen in AIDS and in infection with HIV.

Spleen cells harvested from mixed leukocyte cultures (MLC) on day 2 or 3 suppress the development of CL from a fresh MLC across a cell-impermeable membrane, but day 4 MLC cells which have the maximum level of CL showed only a limited effect. Inhibition was observed only when suppressor cells were restimulated with the same H-2 type cells used during induction. However, the suppressive effect was not strain specific; that is, CBA-induced C57BL/6 spleen cells effectively inhibited the development of CL from DBA/2-induced C57BL/6 cells. In addition, DBA/2-induced C57BL/6 spleen cells effectively inhibited the development of CL from CBA cells. B10 spleen cells stimulated by B10.D2 cells gave rise to a suppressor cell population, indicating that H-2 differences alone can induce the response. The suppressive effect seemed to be exerted on an early phase of the response since no detectable inhibition was observed when suppressor cells were added 48 hr after culture initiation. The suppressive effect is not exerted on the accessory cell function but seems to inhibit DNA synthesis of the reacting cells in the MLC.

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) against autologous EBV-transformed B lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) were induced in vitro by culturing peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of healthy donors together with mitomycin C-treated autologous LCL for 6 days. The cytotoxic cells developed only from the E-rosette-positive fraction but not from the negative fraction of PBL. These CTL killed autologous LCL but not PWM-stimulated autologous PBL. In addition, the CTL killed allogeneic LCL when at least 1 of the HLA-A antigens was identical with that of the LCL of CTL donor. However, identity of HLA-B and HLA-C antigens was not enough for a significant killing of allogeneic LCL. The specificity of the CTL was also confirmed by a cold target inhibition test. These results indicated that the CTL induced specifically recognized EBV-transformed cells with HLA restriction.

Regulation of BSF-2/IL-6 production in peripheral mononuclear cells (MNC) was studied. BSF-2 mRNA expression in mitogen-stimulated MNC showed a biphasic response, the first peak around 4 h and the second peak around 48 h. This was caused by different kinetics of BSF-2 mRNA expression in distinct subpopulations of MNC; M phi expressed BSF-2 mRNA at 5 h in the absence of any stimulation, and mitogen-stimulated T cells and B cells expressed BSF-2 mRNA 48 h after stimulation. Immunohistochemical staining of the cells with anti-BSF-2 antibody demonstrated that macrophages, T cells and B cells could produce BSF-2. T cells in peripheral MNC produced BSF-2 in the presence of M phi. The requirement of macrophage for BSF-2 production in T cells could be replaced by TPA but not by IL-1 or BSF-2.

TPA alone did not induce the production of IL 2 in human tonsillar lymphocytes but enhanced the PHA-induced IL 2 production by seven-fold. That the effect of TPA was due to an increase in IL 2 mRNA was demonstrated by examining the amount of IL 2 mRNA translatable in Xenopus laevis oocytes, and by Northern blotting analysis using IL 2 cDNA as a probe. In these ways, it was shown that TPA alone did not induce any significant IL 2 mRNA synthesis, but when added together with PHA it increased the level of IL 2 mRNA by at least 10-fold, as compared with that induced by PHA alone.

The interaction between human endothelial cells and leukocytes during immunologic and inflammatory responses is in part mediated through the release of soluble mediators. We report that cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells secrete IL-6 when stimulated with LPS. This effect was inhibited by polymyxin-B. The monokines IL-1 and TNF-alpha were also potent inducers of IL-6, whereas lymphotoxin was only effective at much higher concentrations. Endothelial cell supernatant IL-6 was active as hybridoma-plasmacytoma growth factor and as B-cell stimulating factor. Endothelial IL-6 activity was neutralized by a specific anti-IL-6 antibody and by immunoprecipitation it was shown to be identical in size to human fibroblast-derived IL-6. As IL-6 is possibly an important regulator of host defense responses, production of this cytokine by endothelial cells may contribute to the pathogenesis of various inflammatory and immunologic diseases.

rIL-6/B cell stimulatory factor 2 was found to augment CTL generation from mature as well as immature human T cells stimulated with UV-treated allogeneic cells. rIL-6 also acted on peanut agglutinin-positive murine thymocytes and Lyt-2-positive splenic T cells to give rise to CTL. rIL-6 alone could not induce CTL generation, the presence of IL-2 during the early phase of culture period was found to be essential for the IL-6 activity in the induction of CTL. The effect of rIL-6 was not mediated by the induction of IL-2 inasmuch as rIL-6 did not augment IL-2 production in MLC and anti-IL-2 antibody could not neutralize IL-6 activity. rIL-6 augmented CTL generation even when added 72 h after the initiation of cultures. The enhancing activity of rIL-6 could be neutralized with anti-IL-6 antibodies even when added 72 h after the initiation of cultures. The present data indicate that IL-6 acts in the late phase of CTL generation.

mAb and polyclonal antibodies against human IL-6R were prepared by using a murine transfectant cell line expressing the human IL-6R and a synthetic oligopeptide made on the basis of the deduced amino acid sequence as immunogens. Immunoprecipitation of radiolabeled IL-6R with these antibodies showed that the Mr of a mature IL-6R was 80 kDa and its value was reduced to 50K after treatment with O- and N-glycanase and neuraminidase, indicating that IL-6R is a glycoprotein. Two mAb recognizing different epitopes were prepared. One, PM1 inhibited the binding of 125I-IL-6 to the receptor and blocked the IL-6-dependent growth of a T lymphoma line, KT3. PM1 could not bind to IL-6R when it was saturated with IL-6, indicating that this antibody recognizes the IL-6 binding or the adjacent site on IL-6R. The other, MT18 was not inhibited by IL-6 for its recognition of IL-6R, therefore, this could be used for cytofluorometric staining of normal cells. Nonstimulated B cells expressed undetectable amount of IL-6R regardless of the expression of surface IgD. However, after the stimulation with PWM, IL-6R was observed on IgD- B cells with a relatively large size, but subtly on IgD- small B cells and not on IgD+ B cells, fitting the function of IL-6 which acts on activated B cells to induce Ig production. In contrast, IL-6R was detected on non-stimulated CD4+/CD8- and CD4-/CD8+ T cells. The level of IL-6R on both T cell subpopulations was not significantly changed after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin.

In this report we demonstrate that alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) is a carrier protein for IL-6. IL-6 was found to bind plasma proteins and an immunoblot analysis revealed that the complex between IL-6 and plasma proteins contains alpha 2M. Furthermore, purified alpha 2M bound IL-6. alpha 2M did not inhibit IL-6 activity or its binding to homologous receptor. IL-6 bound to alpha 2M retained its biologic activity and became resistant to treatment with proteases, although free IL-6 was easily degraded. These findings indicate that alpha 2M plays an important role as a carrier protein for IL-6 in serum and makes IL-6 produced at the local inflammatory site available to lymphocytes, hepatocytes, and hematopoietic stem cells, resulting in the induction of the coordinate systemic host defense reactions, such as immune response, acute phase reaction, and hematopoiesis.

An intrastrain cross-reactive idiotype, CRIA, is associated with a large proportion of the anti-p-azophenylarsonate (anti-Ar) antibodies of A/J mice. The present experiments, in which the methods of direct and reverse passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (RPCA) were used, indicate that IgE anti-Ar antibodies are produced in A/J mice upon stimulation with a protein-Ar conjugate and that a large proportion of these antibodies express CRIA. The use of monoclonal anti-CRIA for RPCA eliminated the strong nonspecific reactions previously observed. The results provide a basis for studying factors that regulate the switch to IgE biosynthesis during an immune response.

Serum IgE levels were determined in different strains of mice with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay by using rat monoclonal anti-murine IgE antibodies in normal and in Nippostrongylus brasiliensis-infected mice. After infection, serum IgE levels were high in BALB/c and CB-20, low in SJL/J and SJA/20 mice, and not detected at all in SJA/9 and nude mice. Surface IgE-positive cells were greatly increased in BALB/c and SJL/J mice after infection, but not in SJA/9 and nude mice. Most surface IgE-positive spleen cells were also surface IgM- and surface IgD-positive. When spleen cells from SJA/9 or nude mice were stimulated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide and recombinant interleukin 4 (formerly B cell-stimulating factor 1), IgE was produced and detected in the supernatants of these cultures. In addition, surface IgE-positive cells could be detected in these cultures. Most of the surface IgE-positive cells were surface IgM- and surface IgD-negative, unlike those seen in the spleens of Nippostrongylus-infected BALB/c and SJL/J mice. These observations show that SJA/9 and nude mice have IgE-producing precursor B cells, and after appropriate stimulation interleukin 4 can induce them to secrete IgE.

The effects of human rIL-6/B cell stimulatory factor 2 (hrIL-6/BSF-2) from Escherichia coli on murine Ag, SRBC-specific antibody responses were examined in vitro and in vivo. HrBSF-2 was effective in augmenting the primary and the anamnestic plaque-forming cells response to SRBC in vitro. The augmentation of the primary response was apparent when B cell-enriched spleen cells (B cells) were cultured with BSF-2 in the presence of IL-2. On the other hand, hrBSF-2 alone strongly enhanced the anamnestic response in a dose-dependent manner when spleen cells from SRBC-immunized mice were used. These effects of BSF-2 were abolished completely by anti-BSF-2 antibody, but not by normal rabbit Ig. Cell depletion experiments indicated that L3T4 (CD4)+ T cells, but not Lyt-2(CD8)+ T cells, and adherent cells (macrophages) have an important role in this BSF-2-induced augmentation of the response. In addition, kinetic studies showed that hrBSF-2 acts on B cells in the anamnestic response even when added relatively late in the culture. Finally, it was determined whether BSF-2 also could be active in modulating antibody responses in vivo. BSF-2 was shown to enhance the primary and secondary antibody responses in mice. The most apparent effect of BSF-2 was observed in the secondary response.

The effects of IL 2 and gamma-IFN on the activation of human B cells was studied with recombinant IL 2 and gamma-IFN. BCDF-responsive B lymphoblastoid cell lines and highly purified human B cells were employed as target B cells. IL 2 or gamma-IFN did not induce any IgG or IgM secretion in the B cell lines CESS and SKW6-CL4, in which IgG and IgM were inducible with conventional T cell factor(s). IL 2 alone did not induce the optimum production of Ig, but did induce proliferation in the SAC-stimulated B cell population. No Leu-1-, Leu-4-, or Leu-7-positive cells were detected in B cell populations that had been stimulated with SAC for 3 days. FACS analysis showed that a portion of the SAC-stimulated B cells (30%) were in the G2 or M stages by IL 2 stimulation. The addition of gamma-IFN together with IL 2 induced IgM and IgG secretion in SAC-stimulated B cells that was comparable with that induced by a conventional T cell factor(s). IL 2 induced proliferation not only in SAC-stimulated B cells but also in an anti-mu-stimulated B cell population. Stimulation of T cell populations with anti-mu and IL 2 did not induce significant proliferation, suggesting the direct effect of IL 2 on B cells. Double staining of anti-mu-stimulated B cells with anti-Ig and anti-Tac antibodies demonstrated that anti-mu stimulation induced an increased expression of Tac antigen on surface Ig-positive B cells. All of these results strongly supported the notion that IL 2 was one of the growth factors for B cells, and gamma-IFN was one of the differentiation factors for B cells.