Abstract
We reported molecular cloning of B cell stimulatory factor-2 (BSF-2)/interleukin 6 (IL-6) in 1986 (1), the same year that IL-4 and IL-5 were cloned (2, 3). Prior to the publication of our article (1), it was known that antigenic stimulation induced growth and differentiation of B lymphocytes into antibody forming plasma cells with the help of T lymphocytes and this function of T lymphocytes could be replaced by soluble factors. Dutton in 1971 and Schimpl and Wecker in 1972 reported the presence of soluble factors that induced immunoglobulin production in B lymphocytes in the absence of T lymphocytes (4, 5). Schimpl and Wecker named the putative factor “T cell replacing factor” (TRF). In addition, Kishimoto and Ishizaka reported a soluble factor that enhanced IgE antibody production (6), while Takatsu and his colleagues reported a factor that enhanced anti-hapten antibody production (7). The molecular characteristics of these soluble factors, however, were unknown. Furthermore, other reports showed the possibility that there might be several kinds of soluble factors that affected the biological activities of B lymphocytes differently (8, 9). For example, Paul and his colleagues showed that the culture supernatant of mouse thymoma EL4 in combination with submitogenic doses of anti-IgM antibodies stimulated the proliferation of B lymphocytes without inducing antibody production (10). The putative factor was called “BCGF-I” or “BSF-1.” Swain and Dutton showed that culture supernatants from a long-term alloreactive T cell line, DL, induced growth in dextran sulfate stimulated B lymphocytes and BCL1 B cell tumors. The same culture supernatant when combined with IL-2 induced another response: antibody production in B cells (11). This putative factor was called “BCGF-II.” Thus, prior to our article, little was known about the molecular nature of the factors responsible for B lymphocyte stimulation, which is why many immunologists reported each factor by a different name based on its biological activity.
Highlights
We reported molecular cloning of B cell stimulatory factor-2 (BSF-2)/interleukin 6 (IL-6) in 1986 [1], the same year that IL-4 and IL-5 were cloned [2, 3]
Prior to the publication of our article [1], it was known that antigenic stimulation induced growth and differentiation of B lymphocytes into antibody forming plasma cells with the help of T lymphocytes and this function of T lymphocytes could be replaced by soluble factors
Paul and his colleagues showed that the culture supernatant of mouse thymoma EL4 in combination with submitogenic doses of antiIgM antibodies stimulated the proliferation of B lymphocytes without inducing antibody production [10]
Summary
We reported molecular cloning of B cell stimulatory factor-2 (BSF-2)/interleukin 6 (IL-6) in 1986 [1], the same year that IL-4 and IL-5 were cloned [2, 3]. The putative factor was called “BCGF-I” or “BSF1.” Swain and Dutton showed that culture supernatants from a long-term alloreactive T cell line, DL, induced growth in dextran sulfate stimulated B lymphocytes and BCL1 B cell tumors. This putative factor was called “BCGF-II.” prior to our article, little was known about the molecular nature of the factors responsible for B lymphocyte stimulation, which is why many immunologists reported each factor by a different name based on its biological activity.
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