Induction of immunoglobulin-secreting cells by 2-mercaptoethanol in in vitro culture of B cells from autoimmune mice.

Splenic B cells from older MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (MRL/1) and male BXSB mice responded to 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) in in vitro culture and generated immunoglobulin-secreting cells (IgSC). Optimal concentration of 2-ME to induce IgSC was 5 X 10(-5) M. Kinetic studies revealed that the generation of IgSC was already apparent after 24 hr of culture and peak response was attained on the 2nd day. The response of B cells to 2 ME was enhanced in the presence of splenic T cells. Irradiation of B cells reduced the generation of IgSC. The B cell population of autoimmune mice responding to 2-ME to generate IgSC seems to be in a terminal stage of differentiation. This increased B cell differentiation was characteristic of autoimmune mice and assumed to have some significance in the development of autoimmune diseases.