Interleukin 5 is a differentiation factor for IgA B cells.

Interleukin 5 (IL5) stimulates murine B cells to IgA production in vitro. The present study examined the B cell target of IL5 activity, and asked whether IL5 acts as an isotype switch factor, a growth factor, or a differentiation factor on B cells that produce the IgA isotype. Lipopolysaccharide-activated surface IgM-positive, surface IgA-positive or surface IgA-negative B cell populations from spleen or Peyer's patches were stimulated with IL5, after which the expression of cell surface IgA, IgA secretion, and numbers of IgA-secreting cells were determined. IL5 increased the IgA response by acting on B cells that are already committed to IgA expression. Thus, with regard to the IgA response, IL5 acts as a differentiation factor, rather than a growth or IgA isotype switch factor.