Antiimmunoglobulin-treated B cells respond to a B cell differentiation factor for IgG1.

We have determined whether B cells previously activated by anti-Ig (anti-Ig blasts) are responsive to lymphokines that induce isotype switching. Culture of anti-Ig blasts with a mixture of lymphokines, including BSF-1, resulted in marked secretion of IgM and IgG1, but not other IgG isotypes. The IgG1 response of anti-Ig blasts to lymphokines was 13-fold greater than was observed with splenic B cells. B cell blasts induced by 8-mercaptoguanosine or dextran sulfate did not secrete high levels of any IgG isotype in response to lymphokines alone. An mAb against BSF-1 suppressed the IgG1 response of anti-Ig blasts, but not the IgM response to lymphokines. These data suggest that anti-Ig-treated B cells respond to at least one of the effects of BSF-1.

Interleukin 5 (IL-5) provides a signal that is required in addition to IL-4 for isotype switching to immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 and IgE.

We have examined the contributions of Interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-5, and other stimuli to the expression of Immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgE in murine B lymphoblasts activated with anti-Ig. The combination of IL-4 and -5 induced B lymphoblasts to proliferate and to secrete IgM and IgG1. However, an additional stimulus was required along with IL-4 and -5 for induction of IgE secretion. This stimulus was provided by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) or cytokines produced by TC-1 or EL4 cells. In the absence of IL-5, exceptionally high concentrations of IL-4 (greater than 1,000 U/ml) were required to elicit IgG1 and IgE secretion from B lymphoblasts cultured with either LPS or TC-1-conditioned media (CM). To investigate regulation of expression of gamma 1 and epsilon genes by IL-4, -5, and LPS, the requirements for induction of gamma 1 and epsilon germline and productive transcripts were examined. Germline gamma 1, but not epsilon, transcripts were detected in RNA from B lymphoblasts treated with IL-4 and -5 for 48 h. In contrast, both germline gamma 1 and epsilon transcripts could be detected in B lymphoblasts cultured with IL-4 and LPS, and steady state levels of germline gamma 1 transcripts were four- to sevenfold higher in blasts cultured with LPS and IL-4, compared with blasts cultured with IL-4 and -5. LPS enhanced steady state levels of germline transcripts induced by IL-4, but LPS did not promote substantial accumulation of productive gamma 1 and epsilon transcripts. In contrast, IL-5 did not affect steady state levels of germline transcripts stimulated by IL-4, but did markedly increase levels of productive gamma 1 and epsilon transcripts. Thus, lymphokines regulate two distinct events in isotype switching: induction of germline transcripts (IL-4), and production of VDJ-C gamma 1 and VDJ-C epsilon mRNA (IL-5), which leads to secretion of IgG1 and IgE.

Independent regulation of DNA recombination and immunoglobulin (Ig) secretion during isotype switching to IgG1 and IgE.

Induction of switch recombination to the gamma 1 and epsilon immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain loci was examined in B cells preactivated with anti-Ig (B lymphoblasts). In B lymphoblasts cultured with interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-5 induced the accumulation of S micro-S gamma 1 rearrangements, but not epsilon recombination. Thus, IL-5 facilitates switch recombination directed to the gamma 1 heavy chain locus by IL-4, but additional signals are required to drive rearrangements to epsilon. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), in the presence of IL-4, induced the accumulation of both S micro-S gamma 1 and S micro-S epsilon rearrangements, and cells treated with LPS exhibited 40-50-fold more S micro-S gamma 1 rearrangements than cells cultured with IL-5. Induction of switch recombination was not always associated with secretion of the respective Ig isotype, since concentrations of IL-4 that were sufficient to direct switch recombination to gamma 1 and epsilon in blasts treated with LPS failed to elicit secretion of IgG1 and IgE. These results demonstrate differential requirements for switch recombination to the gamma 1 and epsilon loci, as well as independent regulation of Ig gene rearrangement and secretion of each isotype.

T-independent and T-dependent steps in the murine B cell response to antiimmunoglobulin.

Sepharose-anti-Ig and purified populations of small, high-density B cells have been used to study the formation and function of B lymphoblasts. Sepharose-anti-Ig converts small, Ia-poor B cells with a high-buoyant density to large, Ia-rich, B blasts with a low-buoyant density. We find that this response proceeds efficiently in the absence of IL-4 (BSF-1) as well as most T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Further development of the blasts requires an additional stimulus, such as LPS or the conditioned medium of stimulated EL-4 thymoma cells. Within 6 h, blasts begin to enter S phase and within 24 h most divide. At later times (48-72 h) most of the blasts are actively secreting IgM. Recombinant IL-1, -2, -3, and -4 have little or no effect on the B blasts, and a neutralizing mAb to IL-4 does not block the response to EL-4 Sn. We conclude that Sepharose-anti-Ig induces B cell blastogenesis in a T-independent fashion and that these blasts represent a highly enriched population of cells that respond to distinct, T cell-derived lymphokines.

T cell-derived B cell differentiation factor(s). Effect on the isotype switch of murine B cells.

Culturing BALB/c B cells for 6 d at low cell density in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) results in the appearance of a small number of IgG plaque-forming cells (PFC). The addition of supernatants from concanavalin A (Con A)-induced alloreactive (AKR anti-B6) long-term T cell lines (PK 7.1.1a and 7.1.2) or a T cell hybridoma (FS7-6.18) to LPS-treated B cells resulted in a marked increase in IgG PFC (3--10-fold higher than in cultures treated with LPS alone. The number of induced IgG PFC was not affected by removing IgG-bearing cells on the fluorescence-activated cell sorter, indicating that T cell-derived B cell differentiation factor enhances isotype switching of sIgG- cells, rather than selecting and expanding pre-existing subpopulations of sIgG+ cells. We also investigated the subclass of IgG produced in the absence or presence of T cell factors and found that PK 7.1.1a, PK 7.1.2, and FS7-6.18 supernatants selectively increased IgG1 production. Several other T cell supernatants containing a variety of lymphokines had no effect, suggesting that PK 7.1.1a, PK 7.1.2, and FS7-6.18 lines produce factor(s) that can specifically enhance the recovery of IgG secreting cells in culture in the presence of LPS. These factors, which we have termed B cell differentiation factors, are different from interleukin 1, interleukin 2, T cell-replacing factor, colony-stimulating factor, macrophage-activating factor, and immune interferon. Our results suggest that soluble factors produced by T cell lines and hybridomas can markedly influence both the class and subclass of Ig produced by B cells.

Interleukin 5 and interleukin 2 cooperate with interleukin 4 to induce IgG1 secretion from anti-Ig-treated B cells.

We have analyzed requirements for IL-4-induced secretion of IgG1 from anti-Ig-activated B cells. Activated B cell blasts prepared by culture of high density B cells with anti-Ig failed to secrete IgG1 upon subsequent culture with LPS and IL-4. However, IL-4 markedly suppressed IgM secretion in the same cultures. Addition of a mixture of T cell-derived lymphokines or rIL-5 to LPS-stimulated anti-Ig blasts restored IL-4-stimulated IgG1 secretion; rIL-2 further enhanced the response to IL-4 + rIL-5. These results suggest that IL-4, IL-5, and IL-2 cooperate in the regulation of B lymphocyte Ig isotype expression.

Acquisition of cell surface IgD after in vitro culture of neoplastic B cells from the murine tumor BCL1.

Murine BCL1 tumor cells bear large amounts of surface IgM and trace amounts of surface IgD. In the present studies we have shown that cultivation of these cells, in the absence of lipopolysaccharide, results in the acquisition of IgD by virtually all the cells. These results suggest that BCL1 cells can differentiate in vitro into more mature B cells and offer an attractive model for analyzing the factors controlling appearance of IgD on a monoclonal cell line.

T cell-derived B cell growth and differentiation factors. Dichotomy between the responsiveness of B cells from adult and neonatal mice.

In these studies we have determined the molecular weights of B cell growth factor (BCGF) (less than 20,000), and B cell differentiation factors (BCDF) that induce immunoglobulin M (IgM) secretion (BCDF mu) (30-60,000) and IgG secretion (BCDF gamma) (less than 20,000). Thus, the molecular weight of BCDF mu is distinct from that of BCGF and BCDF gamma; BCGF and BCDF gamma cannot be distinguished. In addition, BCGF, BCDF mu, and BCDF gamma are distinguishable by their presence or absence in different supernatants from a panel of mitogen-induced T cell clones. These results suggest that the three lymphokines are different. This conclusion is supported by their differential biological effect on B cells from adult and neonatal mice. Thus, treatment with anti-Ig induces B cells from adult mice to proliferate and this proliferation is sustained by BCGF. In contrast, even in the presence of BCGF, anti-Ig does not induce B cells from neonatal mice to proliferate. However, BCDF mu and BCDF gamma induce IgM and IgG secretion in B cells, respectively, from both adult and neonatal mice. Thus, mature B cells can both clonally expand and differentiate in response to anti-Ig, BCGF, and BCDF, whereas immature B cells can only differentiate. The poor response of neonatal B cells to anti-Ig and BCGF may partially explain the relative immunoincompetence of immature B cells.

Selective neutralization of prostaglandin E2 blocks inflammation, hyperalgesia, and interleukin 6 production in vivo.

The role of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the development of inflammatory symptoms and cytokine production was evaluated in vivo using a neutralizing anti-PGE2 monoclonal antibody 2B5. In carrageenan-induced paw inflammation, pretreatment of rats with 2B5 substantially prevented the development of tissue edema and hyperalgesia in affected paws. The antibody was shown to bind the majority of PGE2 produced at the inflammatory site. In adjuvant-induced arthritis, the therapeutic administration of 2B5 to arthritic rats substantially reversed edema in affected paws. Anti-PGE2 treatment also reduced paw levels of IL-6 RNA and serum IL-6 protein without modifying tumor necrosis factor RNA levels in the same tissue. In each model, the antiinflammatory efficacy of 2B5 was indistinguishable from that of the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug indomethacin, which blocked the production of all PGs. These results indicate that PGE2 plays a major role in tissue edema, hyperalgesia, and IL-6 production at sites of inflammation, and they suggest that selective pharmacologic modulation of PGE2 synthesis or activity may provide a useful means of mitigating the symptoms of inflammatory disease.

Selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 reverses inflammation and expression of COX-2 and interleukin 6 in rat adjuvant arthritis.

Prostaglandins formed by the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes are important mediators of inflammation in arthritis. The contribution of the inducible COX-2 enzyme to inflammation in rat adjuvant arthritis was evaluated by characterization of COX-2 expression in normal and arthritic paws and by pharmacological inhibition of COX-2 activity. The injection of adjuvant induced a marked edema of the hind footpads with coincident local production of PGE2. PG production was associated with upregulation of COX-2 mRNA and protein in the affected paws. In contrast, the level of COX-1 mRNA was unaffected by adjuvant injection. TNF-alpha and IL-6 mRNAs were also increased in the inflamed paws as was IL-6 protein in the serum. Therapeutic administration of a selective COX-2 inhibitor, SC-58125, rapidly reversed paw edema and reduced the level of PGE2 in paw tissue to baseline. Interestingly, treatment with the COX-2 inhibitor also reduced the expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein in the paw. Serum IL-6 and paw IL-6 mRNA levels were also reduced to near normal levels by SC-58125. Furthermore, inhibition of COX-2 resulted in a reduction of the inflammatory cell infiltrate and decreased inflammation of the synovium. Notably, the antiinflammatory effects of SC-58125 were indistinguishable from the effects observed for indomethacin. These results suggest that COX-2 plays a prominent role in the inflammation associated with adjuvant arthritis and that COX-2 derived PGs upregulate COX-2 and IL-6 expression at inflammatory sites.

Increased susceptibility to lethal effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharide in mice with B-cell leukemia.

Susceptibility to the lethal effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased more than one hundredfold in BALB/c mice given syngeneic B-cell tumor transplants. The increased susceptibility to LPS that developed during the following weeks paralleled tumor growth in the liver and spleen. The tumor-bearing animals also developed an enhanced capacity to clear colloidal carbon from the blood, consistent with increased activity of the reticuloendothelial system. Although hypersusceptibility to LPS has been reported to a number of animal models, our experiment was th first demonstration in a tumor model that susceptibility correlates with tumor burden.

Transformation of intestinal epithelial cells by chronic TGF-beta1 treatment results in downregulation of the type II TGF-beta receptor and induction of cyclooxygenase-2.

The precise role of TGF-beta in colorectal carcinogenesis is not clear. The purpose of this study was to determine the phenotypic alterations caused by chronic exposure to TGF-beta in non-transformed intestinal epithelial (RIE-1) cells. Growth of RIE-1 cells was inhibited by >75% following TGF-beta1 treatment for 7 days, after which the cells resumed a normal growth despite the presence of TGF-beta1. These 'TGF-beta-resistant' cells (RIE-Tr) were continuously exposed to TGF-beta for >50 days. Unlike the parental RIE cells, RIE-Tr cells lost contact inhibition, formed foci in culture, grew in soft agarose. RIE-Tr cells demonstrated TGF-beta-dependent invasive potential in an in vitro assay and were resistant to Matrigel and Na-butyrate-induced apoptosis. The RIE-Tr cells were also tumorigenic in nude mice. The transformed phenotype of RIE-Tr cells was associated with a 95% decrease in the level of the type II TGF-beta receptor (TbetaRII) protein, a 40-fold increase in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein, and 5.9-fold increase in the production of prostacyclin. Most RIE-Tr subclones that expressed low levels of TbetaRII and high levels of COX-2 were tumorigenic. Those subclones that express abundant TbetaRII and low levels of COX-2 were not tumorigenic in nude mice. A selective COX-2 inhibitor inhibited RIE-Tr cell growth in culture and tumor growth in nude mice. The reduced expression of TbetaRII, increased expression of COX-2, and the ability to form colonies in Matrigel were all reversible upon withdrawal of exogenous TGF-beta1 for the RIE-Tr cells.

The acute antihyperalgesic action of nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs and release of spinal prostaglandin E2 is mediated by the inhibition of constitutive spinal cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) but not COX-1.

Western blots show the constitutive expression of COX-1 and COX-2 in the rat spinal dorsal and ventral horns and in the dorsal root ganglia. Using selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase (COX) isozymes, we show that in rats with chronic indwelling intrathecal catheters the acute thermal hyperalgesia evoked by the spinal delivery of substance P (SP; 20 nmol) or NMDA (2 nmol) and the thermal hyperalgesia induced by the injection of carrageenan into the paw are suppressed by intrathecal and systemic COX-2 inhibitors. The intrathecal effects are dose-dependent and stereospecific. In contrast, a COX-1 inhibitor given systemically, but not spinally, reduced carrageenan-evoked thermal hyperalgesia but had no effect by any route with spinal SP hyperalgesia. Using intrathecal loop dialysis catheters, we showed that intrathecal SP would enhance the release of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)). This intrathecally evoked release of spinal PGE(2) was diminished by systemic delivery of nonspecific COX and COX-2-selective inhibitors, but not a COX-1-selective inhibitor. Given at systemic doses that block SP- and carrageenan-evoked hyperalgesia, COX-2, but not COX-1, inhibitors reduced spinal SP-evoked PGE(2) release. Thus, constitutive spinal COX-2, but not COX-1, is an important contributor to the acute antihyperalgesic effects of spinal as well as systemic COX-2 inhibitors.

Effects of celecoxib and naproxen on renal function in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase 2-specific inhibitor, with the nonspecific cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 inhibitor naproxen on renal function in 29 healthy elderly subjects in a single-blind, randomized, crossover study. METHODS: Subjects received either celecoxib, 200 mg twice daily, for 5 days followed by celecoxib, 400 mg twice daily, for the next 5 days, or they received naproxen, 500 mg twice daily, for 10 days. After a 7-day washout, subjects were crossed over to receive the other regimen. RESULTS: After the first dose, the trend was for a greater decrease in glomerular filtration rate with naproxen (-5.31 mL/min per 1.73 m2) compared with celecoxib (-0.86 mL/min per 1.73 m2). The treatment difference became statistically significant on day 6 (-7.53 vs -1.11 mL/min per 1.73 m2 for naproxen and celecoxib, respectively; P=.004). Urinary prostaglandin E2 and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha excretion was significantly reduced from baseline across the treatment interval with both celecoxib and naproxen (P< or =.04). There were no significant differences in prostaglandin excretion between these 2 agents (P> or =.07). Small, transient decreases (P<.05) in urinary sodium excretion were observed after the initiation of both celecoxib and naproxen treatment. Sodium excretion values returned to baseline by the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that cyclooxygenase 2-specific inhibition in healthy elderly subjects may spare renal hemodynamic function, although the effects on sodium excretion, as well as urinary prostaglandin E2 and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha excretion, appear to be similar to those of nonspecific cyclooxygenase inhibitors such as naproxen.

Production of interleukin-6 by anterior pituitary cells in vitro.

We recently reported that the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a potent stimulator of anterior pituitary hormone release in vitro. Since IL-6 is not normally detectable in the blood, we hypothesized that IL-6 may be produced by the anterior pituitary in situ and thereby affect hormone secretion through paracrine or autocrine mechanisms. The present study demonstrates that cultured anterior pituitary cells spontaneously secrete large quantities of IL-6 in vitro. IL-6 was detectable in the incubation medium within 2 h, and by 8 h of culture had attained concentrations of 2000-4000 U/ml.4 x 10(5) cells. IL-6 production was stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate (10-100 nM) approximately 2-fold and by lipopolysaccharide (0.001-10.0 micrograms/ml) 4-fold during 4-h incubations. In contrast, the cytokine recombinant human IL-1 alpha had no effect on IL-6 release by cultured pituitary cells. Freshly dissected hemipituitary tissue also secreted more than 3000 U/ml IL-6 during a 4-h incubation. This secretion was enhanced 3-fold by 10 micrograms/ml lipopolysaccharide. Our results suggest that the anterior pituitary may produce IL-6 in situ, where it may function as an intrapituitary releasing factor.

Production of interleukin-6 by anterior pituitary cells is stimulated by increased intracellular adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and vasoactive intestinal peptide.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an inflammatory cytokine that is produced by a variety of cells and tissues. We recently demonstrated that IL-6 is produced by anterior pituitary cells in response to the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide and phorbol diester in vitro. Lipopolysaccharide (0.01-100 ng/ml) increased, whereas dexamethasone (0.1-100 nM) decreased, IL-6 production by anterior pituitary cells in vitro as measured by the 7TD1 cell growth factor assay. In addition, we now report that IL-6 production by anterior pituitary cells is stimulated by agents that elevate intracellular cAMP concentrations. Exposure of anterior pituitary cells to (Bu)2cAMP (0.01-10 mM), prostaglandin E2 (1.0-1000 nM), forskolin (50-1000 nM), or cholera toxin (0.25-250 ng/ml) for 6 h resulted in concentration-related increases in the production of IL-6, which, in the cases of forskolin and cholera toxin, correlated well with increased intracellular cAMP concentrations. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (1-1000 nM), which stimulates adenylate cyclase activity in the anterior pituitary, caused a concentration-related enhancement of IL-6 production that was unaffected in the presence of 10-100 nM somatostatin. In contrast, GH-releasing factor had no effect on IL-6 production. These data suggest that anterior pituitary cells produce IL-6 in response to increased intracellular cAMP, and that the neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide may act to regulate IL-6 production.

Interleukin-1 stimulates interleukin-6 release from rat anterior pituitary cells in vitro.

We have reported previously that anterior pituitary cells released interleukin-6 (IL-6) and that this release was stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), or agents that increased intracellular cAMP concentrations. We now report that IL-1 stimulates IL-6 release from anterior pituitary cells in vitro. IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta (0.04-25 ng/ml) significantly increased IL-6 release 3- to 4-fold in a concentration-related manner during 6-h incubations; however, there was no change in extracellular or intracellular cAMP concentrations. IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta (10 ng/ml), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, 500 nM), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2, 1 microM), and LPS (1 ng/ml) stimulated IL-6 release to a similar degree. In the presence of VIP and PGE2, IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta increased IL-6 release without any apparent further change in extracellular or intracellular cAMP. Conversely, LPS did not increase cAMP concentrations, and IL-1 did not significantly increase IL-6 release in the presence of LPS. The preexposure of anterior pituitary cells to 1 microM PMA caused the apparent down-regulation of protein kinase C activity because 100 nM PMA was no longer effective to stimulate IL-6 release; however, the ability of IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, PGE2, or LPS to stimulate IL-6 release was not altered. In addition, IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta stimulated IL-6 release in the presence of maximally stimulative concentrations of PMA. The synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (10 nM) significantly inhibited IL-6 release induced by IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, or LPS. The separation of anterior pituitary cells on unit gravity BSA gradients generated fractions of IL-6-producing cells that were inducible by LPS and IL-1 beta and separate from the PRL-, ACTH-, GH-, or LH-producing cell fractions. These data suggest that IL-1 stimulates IL-6 release from a subpopulation of anterior pituitary cells via a glucocorticoid-sensitive and non-cAMP-mediated pathway that is different from those pathways used by VIP, PGE2, and PMA.

Interleukin-6 stimulates anterior pituitary hormone release in vitro.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a cytokine produced by inflammatory reactions, was found to stimulate PRL, GH and LH release from anterior pituitary cells at concentrations similar to those which affected lymphocyte mitogenesis. Perifused pituitary cells responded to IL-6 with prompt increases in hormone release that declined rapidly following cessation of exposure. Dopamine (DA) attenuated IL6-induced PRL release. In addition, IL-6 potentiated both GHRF- and TRH-induced hormone release without an affect on intracellular cAMP. These data demonstrate a new biological activity for IL-6 and provide evidence for immune system regulation of anterior pituitary hormone release.

Endotoxin-induced release of interleukin-6 from rat medial basal hypothalami.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an inflammatory cytokine that stimulates T-cell activation and B-cell differentiation. We recently reported that picomolar concentrations of IL-6 stimulated PRL, GH, and LH release in vitro. These data suggested that IL-6 may function as a hypothalamic releasing factor for anterior pituitary hormones. Medial basal hypothalami (MBH) were incubated for 60-90 min in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer supplemented with 0.025% BSA, and the conditioned medium was assayed for IL-6 concentrations by the 7TD1 cell growth factor assay. It was found that MBH released IL-6 in vitro. Although depolarizing concentrations of K+ (56 mM) did not increase IL-6 release, somatostatin release from the MBH was increased significantly. The bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1-100 ng/ml) induced significant increases in IL-6 release from the MBH. The presence of IL-6 in the hypothalamus suggested a possible role for this cytokine in the regulation of neuropeptide release; however, the release of somatostatin was not affected by 20 ng/ml IL-6. Comparison studies of neural and neuroendocrine tissues revealed that the anterior and posterior pituitaries released larger amounts of bioactive IL-6 than the MBH or parietal cortex during a 4-h incubation; induction of IL-6 release by endotoxin occurred only in the anterior pituitary and hypothalamus. IL-6 mRNA was detectable in the MBH and anterior pituitary tissue after a 4-h incubation; however, no IL-6 mRNA was detectable in freshly isolated tissues. LPS (100 ng/ml) and (Bu)2cAMP (1 mM) increased IL-6 mRNA accumulation in and IL-6 release from the MBH and anterior pituitary. These data suggest that the MBH synthesizes and releases IL-6 via a nonneuronal source in vitro.

A novel method for synchronizing a B cell lymphoma.

Certain sub-lines of the murine B cell lymphoma BCL1 can be maintained in vitro and respond to cytokines including IL-2 and IL-5. BCL1 cells, as well as other B lymphomas, are difficult to synchronize using conventional techniques such as thymidine block or DNA synthesis inhibition. We have found that BCL1 cells maintained in Dulbecco's minimum essential medium (DMEM) with non-essential amino acids (NEAA) can be readily synchronized by culture in DMEM lacking NEAA. Within 10-18 h of medium replacement, 98% of BCL1 cells are 2 N in DNA content, suggesting that these cells are arrested in G0/G1. This population of BCL1 cells is viable and can be stimulated to enter S phase by culture in media containing NEAA; however, arrested cells did not appear to return synchronously into the cell cycle on addition of NEAA. A transient increase in levels of c-fos and c-myc mRNA was not detected after arrested BCL1 cells were stimulated to enter S phase, suggesting that arrested cells are in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, rather than G0. This technique for obtaining G1 arrested B lymphoma cells may prove useful in the analysis of molecular events that occur in B cells as a function of cell cycle position.