Examination of the inhibitory effects of interferon-gamma on interleukin-4-induced stimulation of resting B cells from NZB/NZW F1 mice.

Percoll fractionation of NZB/NZW F1 mouse B cells revealed an increased ratio of low-density fraction ('activated' B cell fraction) and a decreased ratio of high-density fraction ('resting' B cell fraction), in comparison to normal mouse B cells. Resting B cells of B/W F1 mice were hyperresponsive to interleukin-4 (IL-4), with increased proliferation and IgG anti-DNA antibody production, in comparison to normal mice. The hyper-responses of resting B cells from NZB/NZW F1 mice to IL-4 were affected with dose dependency by interferon-gamma (INF-gamma); specifically, cell proliferation and anti-nuclear antibody production were suppressed in the presence of IFN-gamma. This suppressor action of IFN-gamma was most noticeable when it was added to the culture system simultaneously with IL-4. These findings suggested that the abnormally activated state of NZB/NZW F1 mice B cells can be attenuated by the action of IFN-gamma on resting B cells.