Regulatory function of Thy-1- cells. IV. Biologic and Biochemical characterization of B cell clone-derived lymphokine (BEF).

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Abstract
Studies were made on the immunoregulatory activity of a lymphokine produced by a B cell clone that does not express immunoglobulin heavy or light chains. The B factor (BEF; B cell-derived enhancing factor), was effective in augmenting the primary and the anamnestic response to SRBC and/or in prolonging the IgG anamnestic response to SRBC and the response to DNP-LE, provided it was added at early stages of culture. The BEF seems to act mainly by preventing the activation of T suppressor cells rather than by counteracting the activity of already activated suppressor cells. Indeed, thymocytes and virgin T cells, but not Con A-activated thymocytes, Con A-activated T cells or B cells, express acceptors for the BEF. The biochemical properties of the BEF were also reported. The apparent m.w. of the factor was 450,000 to 500,000 by gel chromatography. The BEF was sensitive to digestion by papain, trypsin, and subtilisin, indicating that it was protein in nature. The regulatory activity was precipitated by 50% (NH4)2SO4 and was destroyed by heating at 70 degrees C for 30 min or by exposure to pH 2.2 for 6 hr.

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