Differentiation by Interleukin 2 of a Subpopulation of Human B Cells

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Abstract
We demonstrate here that purified recombinant interleukin 2 (IL‐2) induces a sizeable population of highly purified spleen B cells, by both negative and positive (cell‐sorting) selection to differentiate polyclonally into plasma cells. This effect is seen at concentrations of IL‐2 that are optimal for T‐cell growth (1–5 U/ml) and is inhibitable by anti‐Tac monoclonal antibody. In contrast, peripheral blood B cells show no or minimal terminal differentiation. When spleen B cells were separated into small and large cells, only the latter responded to IL‐2; since this state of activation is achieved in vivo, these data support the possibility that IL‐2 may be a physiological mediator in B‐cell differentiation.