Distinct Effects of gamma Interferon on Human B-Lymphocyte Precursor Cell Lines

Abstract

The effect of γ interferon (IFN‐γ) on proliferation and antigenic characteristics of cell lines belonging to the B‐cell progenitor compartment was studied. We observed a selective effect of recombinant IFN‐γ but not IFN‐α on proliferation of the B‐precursor cell lines Reh and KM3. On day 4, after addition of 400 μ/ml IFN‐γ the [³H]thymidine uptake in these cells was reduced to 60% and 45% respectively, while no effect of IFN‐γ was evident on the proliferation of the more mature B‐cell lines Raji. Ramos, B85, and Daudi. On the other hand, both Reh and Ramos showed induction of major histocompatibility complex (MHO class 1 antigen expression in response to 400 μ/ml IFN‐γ. In contrast to 12‐O‐tetradecanoyl‐phorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA), IFN‐γ did not induce increased MHC class II antigen expression on Reh cells. Taken together, our results indicate that IFN‐γ fulfils distinct functions at different levels in the development of B cells.