Regulation of murine T cell proliferation by B cell stimulatory factor-1

The proliferation of mitogen-activated primary T cells, antigen-activated memory T cells from mixed leukocyte culture, and antigen-dependent alloreactive T cell clones in response to purified murine recombinant B cell stimulatory factor-1 (also known as interleukin 4) was examined. We found that B cell stimulatory factor-1 (BSF-1) stimulated optimal proliferation of these T cells only after their recent activation by antigen or mitogen. Analysis of cell surface BSF-1 receptor expression indicated that although T cell activation is accompanied by a small increase in BSF-1 receptor expression, the cells also express BSF-1 receptors prior to activation at a time when they do not proliferate in response to BSF-1. BSF-1 was as effective a stimulus as interleukin 2 for inducing proliferation of the Lyt-2+ subpopulation of concanavalin A-activated murine spleen cells and an alloreactive cytolytic T cell clone. However, the L3T4+ subpopulation of concanavalin A-activated spleen and an alloreactive helper T cell clone were less responsive to BSF-1 than to interleukin 2. Taken together, the data indicate an important role for BSF-1 in the regulation of normal T cell proliferation.     

The requirement for high intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate concentrations distinguishes two pathways of B cell activation induced with lymphokines and antibody to immunoglobulin

Mouse B lymphocytes proliferate when stimulated with anti-IgM and the lymphokines B cell-stimulating factor-1 (BSF-1) interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-1. We show herein that two anti-IgM-stimulated B cell responses can be distinguished by their sensitivity to cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). cAMP inhibits B cell proliferation facilitated by BSF-1 and enhances the B cell response facilitated by IL-1. IL-1 and BSF-1-dependent B cell responses are additive, suggesting that distinct B cell subpopulations are involved. BSF-1-reactive B cells are not inhibited by cAMP in the presence of IL-1. This suggests that IL-1 determines whether cAMP, which has elsewhere been shown to cause nuclear translocation of protein kinase C in resting B cells, inhibits or enhances B cell responses. Comparative studies suggest that the IgM response of spleen cells to red cell-bound antigen involves one of the two pathways described, namely the one that involves IL-1 and cAMP. BSF-1 has no noticeable effect on a Mishell-Dutton plaque-forming cell response. In view of literature on the facilitation by BSF-1 of the IgG response, we consider the possibility that IL-1 functions to stir B cells into an IgM response, whereas BSF-1 acts on B cells that are poised to become IgG producers.     

Interferon-gamma inhibits the action of B cell stimulatory factor (BSF)-1 on resting B cells

B cell stimulatory factor-1 (BSF-1) stimulates resting B cells to increase in volume and prepares these cells to enter the S phase in response to anti-IgM and other B cell mitogens. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) blocks both the volume enlargement and preparation for DNA synthesis caused by BSF-1, although it has little effect on B cells already stimulated by BSF-1. The capacity of IFN-gamma to inhibit the action of BSF-1 on resting B cells suggests a mutual regulatory interaction between these two T cell-derived products.     

A role for Lyb-2 in B cell activation mediated by a B cell stimulatory factor

The Lyb-2 system of the mouse is involved in regulation of a proliferative step in the differentiation of B cells responding to T-dependent antigen. The present study concerns the role of Lyb-2 in an early phase of B cell activation with respect to B cell receptor functions for activation factors. It is shown that interaction of monoclonal anti (alpha)-Lyb-2 antibody with Lyb-2 on the B cell surface induces B cell proliferation by synergistic action with B cell growth factor II-containing factor or interleukin 1. In contrast, alpha-Lyb-2 antibody could not synergize with the Con A-induced culture supernatant of T cell hybridoma FS6-14.13 (FS6) containing B cell stimulatory factor-1 (BSF-1; formerly called BCGF I), and the effect of combining the two was only additive on B cell proliferation. Absorption studies showed that BSF-1 in FS6 could be absorbed by unstimulated B cells, about 95% of which were at Go phase of the cell cycle, but not by thymocytes, and more importantly that alpha-Lyb-2 antibody blocked the absorption in an Lyb-2-specific manner, possibly by competing with BSF-1. It is thus likely that alpha-Lyb-2 antibody may interact with a BSF-1 receptor on B cells or a molecule closely associated with it. Interestingly, alpha-Lyb-2 antibody mimicked the action of BSF-1 in a costimulator assay with affinity-purified goat alpha-mouse IgM antibody, but could not replace all the activities ascribed to BSF-1. Possible mechanisms involved are discussed.     

Differential regulation by Ly-5 and Lyb-2 of IgG production induced by lipopolysaccharide and B cell stimulatory factor-1 (IL-4)

We have previously shown that mAb Ly-5 which on B cells recognizes a 220,000-Da (B220) molecule, inhibits LPS-induced IgG responses without affecting IgM or proliferative responses, whereas mAb Lyb-2 which modulates B cell activation processes induced by B cell stimulatory factor-1 (BSF-1) or IL-4, has no effect on LPS-induced B cell responses. In this report we further examined the cellular mechanisms of Ly-5 antibody action and the effect of Lyb-2 antibody in IgG responses induced by LPS and BSF-1. The results presented demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of Ly-5 antibody seems to be restricted to the IgG class and is observed in all IgG subclasses induced by LPS. Limiting dilution analysis showed that the Ly-5 antibody reduces primarily the precursor frequency of IgG-secreting cells and that the effect on the clone size is partial. Lyb-2 antibody, on the other hand, greatly inhibited IgG1 induction initiated by LPS and BSF-1 by the action on processes triggered by BSF-1, although it could not reverse the reduced IgG2b or IgG3 responses. Limiting dilution analysis revealed that Lyb-2 antibody reduces the precursor frequency but not the clone size of BSF-1-induced IgG1-producing cells, supporting our previous proposition that Lyb-2 plays a critical role in the B cell differentiation mediated by BSF-1. Taken together, these results indicate that both Ly-5 and Lyb-2 are important molecules in IgG subclass regulation, each acting on a distinct activation step.     

IFN-gamma stimulates IgG2a secretion by murine B cells stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide

rIFN-gamma strikingly enhances the secretion of IgG2a by murine splenic B cells stimulated with bacterial LPS in vitro and concomitantly suppresses the production of IgG3, IgG1, IgG2b, and IgE while sparing IgM secretion. IFN-gamma stimulates highly purified B cell populations to secrete IgG2a, strongly suggesting that it acts directly on B cells. It increases the frequency of precursors of IgG2a-expressing soft agar colonies and enhances the number of IgG2a+ cells in colonies indicating that it both increases the frequency of precursors of IgG2a+ cells and enhances the number of IgG2a+ daughter cells emerging from each precursor. IFN-gamma completes its action within the first 24 to 48 h of a 6-day culture with LPS and its addition cannot be delayed beyond the first 48 h. Preincubation of resting B cells in the presence of IFN-gamma leads to a time dependent increase, up to 42 h, in IgG2a secretion upon subsequent addition of LPS. IFN-gamma can exert this action on resting B cells that have been selected for absence of membrane IgG expression by cell sorting. The promotion of IgG2a secretion appears to be a specific property of IFN-gamma in that IFN-alpha, IFN-beta, IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, granulocyte-macrophage-CSF, granulocyte-CSF, and CSF-1 fail to enhance IgG2a secretion by LPS-stimulated B cells.     

The effects of cytokines and adherent cells on the interleukin 4-mediated induction of Ia antigens on resting B cells

In this report we have extended our previous studies on interleukin 4 (IL-4) [previously termed B-cell stimulatory factor-1 (BSF-1)]. Our results demonstrate that 8 hr of exposure to IL-4 is sufficient to induce maximal expression of Ia antigens. This increase in expression of Ia antigens on resting B cells is due to the direct action of IL-4 on the B cells since adding or removing adherent cells or utilizing low density cultures of B cells at 50-100/culture had no effect on the IL-4-mediated increase in Ia. Monoclonal anti-IL-4 antibody completely abrogated the Ia-inducing activity of IL-4. A variety of other purified lymphokines including interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 1 (IL-1), and a source of either B-cell differentiation factor for IgM (BCDF mu), or B-cell growth factor II (BCGF II), did not alter the expression of Ia antigens on resting B cells. However, interferon-gamma can partially inhibit the IL-4-mediated induction of Ia.     

B Lymphocyte Colony Formation in vitro: Ultrastructural Development of Individual Colonies

B lymphocyte colony development in agar culture was studied using an electron microscope, and more than 3,000 colony cells were identified and photographed. In early cultures (day 4) lymphoblasts dominated the colonies. From day 5 onwards plasmablasts and small lymphocytes were present in the colonies. From day 6 onward mature plasma cells were observed in increasing numbers. On day 9 of culture the colonies started to degenerate and on day 10 of culture approximately 70% of the colony consisted of pyknotic and degenerating cells. Topographically, the degenerating cells were concentrated in the center of the colony whereas proliferation took place in the periphery. Colony growth occurred in an exponential fashion, the number of viable colony cells being maximal on day 8 of culture (400–600 cells/colony). At this time the frequencies of the four B cell categories were: lymphoblasts 72%, plasmablasts 20%, plasma cells 6%, and small lymphocytes 2%. Recloning experiments showed that dispersed colony cells were capable of forming only small cell clusters. It is concluded that B lymphocyte colony formation reflects a series of B cell developmental stages including the formation of the end cell categories of this lymphocyte lineage.     

Further evidence for a human B cell activating factor distinct from IL-4

Supernatants from activated human T cell clones were previously shown to contain B cell-activating factor (BCAF), an activity which results in polyclonal resting B cell stimulation. In the present study, we investigate the relationship between this activity and human interleukin-4 which was also shown to act on resting B cells. The supernatant of the T cell clone TT9 contains IL-4 but anti-IL-4 antiserum does not affect the response of B cells as measured by thymidine uptake or cell volume increase. Furthermore, IL-4 induces Fc epsilon-receptor (CD23) expression on 30% of unstimulated human B cells, whereas BCAF-containing supernatants from clone P2, that do not contain detectable amounts of IL-4, promote B cell proliferation without inducing CD23 expression. Our results therefore establish that IL-4 and BCAF are distinct activities and suggest that they trigger different activation pathways in human B cells. In addition, culture of B cells with T cell supernatants for 72 hr induces a three- to fourfold increase in the expression of HLA-DR, -DP, and -DQ antigens in 50% of B cells. The addition of inhibiting concentrations of anti-IFN-gamma, LT, or IL-4 antisera to the cultures does not change these results. Finally, 30% of B cells cultured with T cell supernatants leave the G1 phase of the cell cycle and 20% reach mitosis. Taken together, our findings further support the existence of a B cell-activating factor responsible for the activation of resting human B cells.     

B cell stimulatory factor 1 (IL-4) enhances the development of cytotoxic T cells from Lyt-2+ resting murine T lymphocytes

B cell stimulatory factor 1 (BSF-1) (IL-4) was shown to synergize with phorbol esters or with monoclonal anti-TCR antibody in stimulation of the development of CTL from small resting murine T cells. IL-2 also synergized with PMA in such differentiation but was less effective than BSF-1. The combination of these two lymphokines with PMA had the most potent effect on the development of CTL. BSF-1 plus PMA stimulated a significant increase in the intracellular content of N-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine thiobenzylester esterase, a granule-associated biochemical marker, whereas IL-2 plus PMA was only marginally effective. Depletion of L3T4+ cells did not result in the abrogation of these effects. Lyt-2+ T cells that were incubated for 72 h with BSF-1 plus PMA accumulated N-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine thiobenzylester esterase and secreted this intragranular marker after interaction with immobilized anti-T cell receptor mAb. These BSF-1/PMA-stimulated Lyt-2+, L3T4- T cells were also able to kill FcR positive target cells in a retargeting assay with a mAb to murine T3 Ag, providing evidence that BSF-1 plus PMA acted directly on precursors of cytotoxic T cells.     

Costimulation of resting B lymphocytes alters the IL－4－activated IRS2 signaling pathway in a STAT6 independent manner：implications for cell survival and proliferation

IL-4 is an important B cell survival and growth factor. IL-4 induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS2 in resting B lymphocytes and in LPS- or CD40L-activated blasts. Phosphorylated IRS2 coprecipitated with the p85 subunit of PI 3' kinase in both resting and activated cells. By contrast, association of phosphorylated IRS2 with GRB2 was not detected in resting B cells after IL-4 treatment although both proteins were expressed. However, IL-4 induced association of IRS2 with GRB2 in B cell blasts. The pattern of IL-4-induced recruitment of p85 and GRB2 to IRS2 observed in B cells derived from STAT6 null mice was identical to that observed for normal mice. While IL-4 alone does not induce activation of MEK, a MEK1 inhibitor suppressed the IL-4-induced proliferative response of LPS-activated B cell blasts. These results demonstrate that costimulation of splenic B cells alters IL-4-induced signal transduction independent of STAT6 leading to proliferation. Furthermore, proliferation induced by IL-4 in LPS-activated blasts is dependent upon the MAP kinase pathway.     

Stimulation of EBV-activated human B cells by monocytes and monocyte products. Role of IFN-beta 2/B cell stimulatory factor 2/IL-6

EBV infects human B lymphocytes and induces them to proliferate, to produce Ig, and to give rise to immortal cell lines. Although the mechanisms of B cell activation by EBV are largely unknown, the continuous proliferation of EBV-immortalized B cells is dependent, at least in part, upon autocrine growth factors produced by the same EBV-infected B cells. In the present studies we have examined the influence of monocytes on B cell activation by EBV and found that unlike peripheral blood T cells and B cells, monocytes enhance by as much as 30- to 50-fold virus-induced B cell proliferation and Ig production. Upon activation with LPS, monocytes secrete a growth factor activity that promotes both proliferation and Ig secretion in EBV-infected B cells and thus reproduces the effects of monocytes in these cultures. Unlike a number of other factors, rIFN-beta 2/B cell stimulatory factor 2 (BSF-2)/IL-6 stimulates the growth of human B cells activated by EBV in a manner similar to that induced by activated monocyte supernatants. In addition, an antiserum to IFN-beta that recognizes both IFN-beta 1 and IFN-beta 2 completely neutralizes the B cell growth factor activity of activated monocyte supernatants. These findings demonstrate that IFN-beta 2/BSF-2/IL-6 is a growth factor for human B cells activated by EBV and suggest that this molecule is responsible for B cell growth stimulation induced by activated monocyte supernatants. We have examined the possibility that IFN-beta 2/BSF-2/IL-6 might also be responsible for B cell growth stimulation by supernatants of EBV-immortalized B cells and thus may function as an autocrine growth factor. However, IFN-beta 2/BSF-2/IL-6 is not detectable in supernatants of EBV-immortalized B cells by immunoprecipitation. Also, an antiserum to IFN-beta that neutralizes IFN-beta 2/BSF-2/IL-6 fails to neutralize autocrine growth factor activity. This suggests that autocrine growth factors produced by EBV-immortalized B cells are distinct from IFN-beta 2/BSF-2/IL-6. Thus, the continuous proliferation of EBV-immortalized B cells is enhanced by either autocrine or paracrine growth factors. One of the mediators with paracrine growth factor activity is IFN-beta 2/BSF-2/IL-6.     

Interleukin secretion by B cell lines and splenic B cells stimulated with calcium ionophore and phorbol ester

A B cell lymphoma A20.2J and splenic B cells produced an active material to support the proliferation of an interleukin 2 (IL-2)-dependent T cell line, CTLL-2, by stimulation with both calcium ionophore A23187 and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Although the production of the active material was induced by stimulation with A23187 alone in A20.2J cells, both A23187 and PMA were essential for the stimulation of splenic B cells. Neither A20.2J cells nor splenic B cells produced the active material by stimulation with PMA alone. The production was inversely proportional to the concentration of fetal calf serum in culture medium. The active material produced by B cells was indicated to be IL-2 and not B cell-stimulating factor 1 (BSF-1) for the following reasons: 1) the proliferation of CTLL-2 cells in the presence of active material was inhibited by the inclusion of anti-IL-2 receptor or anti-IL-2 in culture medium but not by anti-BSF-1; 2) the material showed no co-mitogenic activity to purified splenic B cells with anti-immunoglobulins and did not support the proliferation of FDC-P2 which are known to grow in the presence of BSF-1; and 3) IL-2 mRNA could be detected in A20.2J and splenic B cells stimulated with A23187 and PMA in Northern blot analysis. Some B cell hybridomas were also shown to produce IL-2 by similar stimulation to A20.2J. Splenic B cells as well as A20.2J cells were able to produce IL-2 by stimulation with anti-immunoglobulins. These results suggest that under certain conditions IL-2 can be produced by splenic B cells, at least some subsets of B cells, and B cell lines.     

Costimulation of resting B lymphocytes alters the IL-4-activated IRS2 signaling pathway in a STAT6 independent manner: implications for cell survival and proliferation

INTRODUCTIONThe inappropriate enhancement of lymphocytesurviVal due to a block in programmed cell deathand/or an enhancement of entry into the cell cyclecan contribute to the abnormal expansion of clonesresulting in tumorigenesis or the breakdown of pe-ripheral self-toleranced, 2]. Proper lymphocytehomeostasis is critical for normal immune functionand is maintained by a complex series of cellularinteractions and the action of secreted cytokines.Illterleukin-4 (IL-4), a cytokine produced …     

IL-4, but not IL-5, can act synergistically with B cell activating factor (BCAF) to induce proliferation of resting B cells

B cell activating factor (BCAF) was initially identified in the supernatant of the murine T helper cell clone 52-3 (52-3 SN) because of its ability to promote activation and proliferation of resting B cells in the absence of any other costimulus. In this paper, we show that 52-3 T helper cells also secrete IL-4 and IL-5 and we have analyzed the influence of these two lymphokines on B cell proliferation induced by BCAF-containing 52-3 SN. Using the neutralizing anti-IL-4 monoclonal antibody 11B11, we observed partial inhibition of B cell proliferation. 52-3 SN free of IL-4 prepared using an immunoabsorbent column was still able to induce significant B cell proliferation. Although recombinant IL-4 alone does not induce B cell proliferation, it increased the proliferation induced by IL-4-free 52-3 SN. Kinetic studies showed that IL-4 is required at the start of B cell cultures in order to exert optimal synergistic effects. In contrast, anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody NC17 did not affect the B cell proliferative activity of 52-3 SN whether or not IL-4 was present. When 52-3 SN was tested on dextran-sulfate-activated B cells, IL-5 and BCAF activities were detected but only the IL-5 activity was neutralized by monoclonal antibody NC17. These results demonstrate that (i) BCAF-containing SN can induce proliferation of resting B cells independently of IL-4 and IL-5, and (ii) IL-4, but not IL-5, can act synergistically with BCAF to induce B cell proliferation.     

Differential costimulatory effects of adhesion molecules B7, ICAM-1, LFA-3, and VCAM-1 on resting and antigen-primed CD4+ T lymphocytes.

Optimal proliferation of T cells although initiated via ligation of the CD3/TCR complex requires additional stimulation resulting from adhesive interactions between costimulatory receptors (R) on T cells and their counter-R on APC. At least four distinct adhesion molecules (counter-R) present on APC, B7, ICAM-1 (CD54), LFA-3 (CD58), and VCAM-1 have been individually shown to costimulate T cell activation. Because some of these molecules may be expressed simultaneously on APC, it has been difficult to examine relative contributions of individual counter-R during the induction of T cell proliferation. We have produced soluble IgC gamma 1 fusion chimeras (receptor globulins or Rg) of B7, ICAM-1, LFA-3, and VCAM-1 and compared their relative abilities to costimulate proliferation of resting or Ag-primed CD4+ T cells. When co-immobilized with mAb directed at TCR alpha beta or CD3 but not CD2 or CD28, each Rg induced proliferation of both resting and Ag-primed CD4+ cells. In contrast, similarly co-immobilized CD7 Rg or ELAM-1 Rg were ineffective. Resting CD4+ T cells produced more IL-2, expressed significantly higher levels of IL-2R alpha, and proliferated more efficiently when costimulated with either ICAM-1 Rg or VCAM-1 Rg than with B7 Rg or LFA-3 Rg. CD4+ CD45RO+ memory T cells proliferated more vigorously in response to the costimulation by each of the four Rg than CD4+ CD45RA+ naive T cells. In contrast with the behavior of resting CD4+ T cells, proliferation of Ag-preactivated CD4+ T cells was most efficient when costimulated by B7 Rg. The costimulatory effect of LFA-3 Rg on Ag-primed CD4+ T cells was weaker than that of B7 Rg but was significantly greater than that of either ICAM-1 Rg or VCAM-1 Rg. These results suggest that resting and Ag-primed CD4+ T cells preferentially respond by proliferation to different costimulatory counter-R. ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 may be involved in the initiation of proliferation of Ag-responsive T cells, and B7 and LFA-3 may facilitate sustained proliferation of Ag-primed T cells. The cumulative costimulation by the above counter-R may facilitate optimal expression of various regulatory and effector functions of T cells.     

The role of recombinant stem cell factor in early B cell development. Synergistic interaction with IL-7.

The cDNA for stem cell factor was recently isolated from Buffalo rat liver cells (BRL-3A) and recombinant rat stem cell factor produced from Escherichia coli (rrSCF164). rrSCF164 synergizes with rhIL-7 to stimulate pre-B clonal growth in agar culture of mouse bone marrow cells, and in this study we have characterized the role of rrSCF164 in B cell development. The combination of rrSCF164 plus rhIL-7 stimulated increased colony numbers compared with the sum of colonies stimulated by rrSCF164 and rhIL-7 alone. Also, increased cell proliferation per colony was stimulated by the combination of rrSCF164 plus rhIL-7 compared with rhIL-7 or rrSCF164 alone. The colonies formed with rrSCF164 plus rhIL-7 and rhIL-7 alone contained exclusively pre-B cells, which expressed B220 Ag and cytoplasmic mu-chain, but were negative for surface Ig expression. Morphological examination of the cells in the colonies showed blast-like characteristics. rrSCF164 alone and in combination with rhIL-7 stimulated generation of B220+ cells in liquid culture of B220- cells, whereas rhIL-7 alone had no stimulatory effect on B220- cells. Both stem cell factor mRNA and bioactivity were detected in a mouse bone marrow-derived stromal cell line, termed OZ-11. We propose that stem cell factor is a stromal-derived factor that synergizes with IL-7 to stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of pro-B cells to pre-B cells, which become responsive to IL-7 alone.     

Induction of proliferation of human follicular (B type) lymphoma cells by cognate interaction with CD4+ T cell clones

We examined stimuli which are required for the induction of in vitro proliferation of follicular lymphoma cells, a low grade non-Hodgkin's B cell lymphoma characterized by a specific chromosomal translocation, t(14;18)(q32;q21), and by in vivo growth of the lymphoma cells in germinal center-like follicles infiltrated with CD4+ T cells. The purified follicular lymphoma cells, which are morphologically uniform, small, and dense, did not respond to stimulation with soluble lymphokines in the absence of T cells. Vigorous in vitro proliferation of follicular lymphoma cells was induced, however, when the follicular lymphoma cells were cultured with a CD4+ T cell clone which recognized alloantigens expressed by the lymphoma cells. This response required B-T cell contact, and was inhibited by anti-class II but not by anti-class I MHC mAb, indicating that these neoplastic B cells behaved as normal B cells and responded to normal activation and differentiation signals from T cells. After the cognate B lymphoma-T cell interaction occurred in culture, addition of IL-2 or IL-4 enhanced the proliferation of the tumor cells. These results, with a monoclonal and homogeneous population of B cells, affirm the idea that cognate interaction between B cells and Th cells is required for the effective activation of resting B cells. Moreover, these results suggest that a critical host-tumor interaction occurs in vivo, and that the polyclonal CD4+ T cells that infiltrate follicular lymphomas play a role in sustaining rather than inhibiting tumor growth in vivo. If so, therapies directed not only against the neoplastic cell but also against specific T cells and their cognate interactions with tumor cells may have a rationale.     

The role of CD11a/CD18-CD54 interactions in human T cell-dependent B cell activation.

The role of leukocyte function-associated Ag-1 (LFA-1, CD11a/CD18) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1, CD54) interactions in human T cell and B cell collaboration was examined by studying the effect of mAb to these determinants on B cell proliferation and differentiation stimulated by culturing resting B cells with CD4+ T cells activated with immobilized mAb to the CD3 molecular complex. In this model system, mAb to either the alpha (CD11a) or beta (CD18) chain of LFA-1 or ICAM-1 (CD54) inhibited B cell responses significantly. The mAb did not directly inhibit B cell function, inasmuch as T cell-independent activation induced by formalinized Staphylococcus aureus and IL-2 was not suppressed. Moreover, DNA synthesis and IL-2 production by immobilized anti-CD3-stimulated CD4+ T cells were not suppressed by the mAb to LFA-1 or ICAM-1. Although the mAb to LFA-1 inhibited enhancement of IL-2 production by co-culture of immobilized anti-CD3-stimulated CD4+ T cells with B cells, addition of exogenous IL-2 or supernatants of mitogen-activated T cells could not abrogate the inhibitory effects of the mAb to LFA-1 or ICAM-1 on B cell responses. Inhibition was most marked when the mAb were present during the initial 24 h in culture. Immobilized anti-CD3-stimulated LFA-1-negative CD4+ T cell clones from a child with leukocyte adhesion deficiency could induce B cell responses, which were inhibited by mAb to LFA-1 or ICAM-1. These results indicate that the interactions between LFA-1 and ICAM-1 play an important role in mediating the collaboration between activated CD4+ T cells and B cells necessary for the induction of B cell proliferation and differentiation, and for enhancement of IL-2 production by CD4+ T cells. Moreover, the data are consistent with a model of T cell-B cell collaboration in which interactions between LFA-1 on resting B cells and ICAM-1 on activated CD4+ T cells play a critical role in initial T cell-dependent B cell activation.