Interleukin 4 induces selective production of interleukin 6 from normal human B lymphocytes

Abstract

In this paper we have shown that extensively purified human B lymphocytes respond to IL-4 treatment with a marked production of IL-6. Addition of anti-μ potentiated the effect of IL-4 on IL-6 production. Other cytokines tested like TNF-α and -β, IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-2, and IL-5 did not induce IL-6 secretion when given to resting B cells. Although B cells generally also produced TNF-α and TNF-β upon stimulation, IL-4 did not induce TNF secretion and seemingly had a specific effect on IL-6 production.