Neither Interleukin 2 nor Gamma Interferon Directly Promote Growth or Differentiation of Mouse B Cells

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Abstract
The roles of interleukin 2 (IL‐2) and gamma interferon (IFN‐γ) as direct mediators of B‐cell growth and differentiation were analysed. Products of cloned genes were used in both cases. The use of flow cytometric assays coupled with density fractionation of reponding splenic B‐cell populations enabled both the characterization of B cells responding to various stimuli and the estimation of their frequency. B cells responding to no‐IL‐2 related lymphokines promoting growth and differentiation were restricted to low buoyant density fractions. In addition, these cells expressed densities of IL‐2 receptor determinants comparable to those found on T cells, although, IL‐2 did not support thier growth or differentiation. The inability to demonstrate any direct effect of either IL‐2 or IFN‐γ on B cells in any state of activation suggests that their physiological roles are mediated through additional cell types.