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Role of Epidermal Cell Thymocyte‐Activating Factor in the Proliferation and Differentiation of Murine B Cells
Author(s) -
Pillai P.S.,
Reynolds S.D.,
Scott D.W.,
Gauldie J.,
Sauder D.N.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1002/jlb.42.3.222
Subject(s) - biology , thymocyte , microbiology and biotechnology , cellular differentiation , epidermal growth factor , cell growth , immunology , cell culture , t cell , immune system , genetics , gene
Abstract The role of antigen nonspecific cytokines in T‐ and B‐lymphocyte responses is now well established, interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) has been shown to augment B‐cell maturation and proliferation. While the major source of IL‐1 is from monocytes or macrophages, other cell types have been shown to produce IL‐1‐like cytokines. Epidermal cells produce a cytokine termed “epidermal cell‐derived thymocyte‐activating factor” (ETAF) which is similar if not identical with monocyte‐derived IL‐1. In this report we show that ETAF induces polyclonal stimulation of murine B cells. We show that ETAF augments B cell proliferation and differentiation in the absence of any added antigens or mitogens. This activity can be partially inhibited by anti‐IL‐1 antibodies. ETAF appears to activate B cells directly, although its activity is increased in the presence of T cells. Thus, ETAF may be involved in local polyclonal antibody responses occurring in the skin.