Epstein-Barr virus transformed B lymphocytes produce interleukin-5
CC Paul, JR Keller, JM Armpriester and MA Baumann
Department of Medicine, Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton,
OH.
Interleukin-5 (IL-5) has previously been isolated only as a product of T
lymphocytes. We have found that Epstein-Barr virus transformed B
lymphocytes produce large amounts of IL-5 activity in culture supernatants,
inducing proliferation of murine BCL1 cells, and supporting the selective
growth of eosinophil colonies in semi-solid culture. Production of IL-5
messenger RNA by transformed B-cell lines was verified by Northern analysis
using a 3.2-kilobase cloned DNA fragment containing the full-length human
IL-5 gene, and immunoreactive IL-5 was detected in B-cell culture
supernatants. These findings suggest a possible expanded role for the B
cell in the induction of eosinophilia, and should serve as a focus for
additional investigation into possible roles for IL-5 in human B-cell
proliferation and differentiation.
Volume 75,
Issue 7,
pp. 1400-1403,
04/01/1990
Copyright © 1990 by The American Society of Hematology
