Open AccessIL‐2 enhances polyclonal IgM but not IgM‐rheumatoid factor synthesis by activated human peripheral blood B cells
Author(s) -
CALLAGHAN M.,
WHELAN A.,
FEIGHERY C.,
BRESNIHAN B.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
clinical & experimental immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 135
eISSN - 1365-2249
pISSN - 0009-9104
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2249.1993.tb07968.x
Subject(s) - polyclonal antibodies , rheumatoid factor , immunology , immunoglobulin m , rheumatoid arthritis , antibody , medicine , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , peripheral blood , pathogenesis , immunoglobulin g , biology , in vitro , biochemistry
SUMMARY IgM‐rheumatoid factor (RF) is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Several cytokines are known to regulate immunoglobulin synthesis. In this study the effects of IL‐2 on polyclonal IgM and IgM RF synthesis were compared. Cytokines were added to peripheral blood B cells from normal subjects and patients with RA after activation by Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1 (SAC). The addition of IL‐2. but not IL‐4 or IL‐6, resulted in significant enhancement of IgM synthesis in cultures from both healthy subjects and patients with RA. Similar degrees of enhancement were seen in both peripheral blood mononuclcar cell and highly purified B cell cultures. IgM‐RF was synthesized after activation in cultures from healthy subjects and spontaneously in cultures from RA patients. In contrast to polyclonal IgM synthesis, IL‐2 failed to augment IgM‐RF synthesis in cell cultures from either healthy subjects or RA patients. This study demonstrates different effects of IL‐2 on IgM and IgM‐RF synthesis.