Analysis of helper activity on pokeweed mitogen- and interleukin 2-driven immunoglobulin synthesis by neoplastic T4+ cells

• Published in: The Journal of clinical investigation Vol. 76; no. 6; pp. 2139 - 2143
• Main Authors: MIEDEMA, F, VAN OOSTVEEN, J. W, TERPSTRA, F. G, VAN DEN WALL BAKE, A. W. L, WILLEMZE, R, RAUWS, E. A. J, BIEGER, R, VAN 'T VEER, M. B, CATOVSKY, D, MELIEF, C. J. M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ann Arbor, MI American Society for Clinical Investigation 01.12.1985
• Subjects: Aged; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibody Formation - drug effects; Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; Antigens, Surface - analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Cells, Cultured; Female; Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases; Humans; Hypergammaglobulinemia - immunology; Interleukin-2 - biosynthesis; Interleukin-2 - immunology; Leukemia - immunology; Leukemias. Malignant lymphomas. Malignant reticulosis. Myelofibrosis; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pokeweed Mitogens - pharmacology; Sezary Syndrome - immunology; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer - immunology; Human; Cell culture; Immunoglobulins; Skin disease; Helper cell; Stimulation; Biosynthesis; Hemopathy; Cell subpopulation; Pokeweed mitogen; Chronic lymphocytic leukemia; Phenotype; Interleukin 2; Sezary syndrome; T-Lymphocyte
• ISSN: 0021-9738; 1558-8238
• DOI: 10.1172/JCI112219

The neoplastic T cells of a series of seven patients with chronic T-cell neoplasia were tested for helper activity on pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-induced and interleukin 2 (IL-2)-induced Ig synthesis. The neoplastic T cells of all patients had a T3+4+8-11+I1- phenotype but differed in expression of the 3A1 antigen. The neoplastic T cells of three patients had helper activity on both PWM- and IL-2-driven Ig synthesis, and in addition produced IL-2 in response to PWM stimulation. Two of these patients had hypergammaglobulinemia. In contrast, the neoplastic T cells in the remaining four patients did not produce IL-2 and did not support PWM-driven Ig synthesis. The T4+ cells of these four patients, however, provided excellent helper activity on IL-2-driven Ig synthesis. These findings emphasize the role of IL-2 in T cell-dependent Ig synthesis and clearly show that IL-2 production is required for helper activity in the PWM-driven system. It is concluded that the combined use of PWM- and IL-2-driven Ig synthesis systems allows separate analysis of IL-2 production and T-helper activity in health and disease.