Induction of surface marker changes and monoclonal idiotypic immunoglobulin secretion in lymphoma/leukemia cells: comparative study with interleukin-1, interleukin-2, interleukin-4, 8-bromo-guanosine, pokeweed mitogen, and tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate.

Induction of differentiation in B lymphoma/leukemia cells with interleukins was compared with differentiation induced by phorbol ester (TPA) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) or by 8-bromo-guanosine. Both cell surface changes and monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) secretion were followed as markers of differentiation. The results indicate great similarity in the differentiation patterns induced by interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interleukin-4 (IL-4), with regard to Ig secretion and changes in surface markers. Induction of Ig secretion and surface marker changes by 8-bromo-guanosine was similar to that induced by TPA and PWM; however, for some markers, cell surface changes induced by TPA and PWM or by 8-bromo-guanosine were quite different from those induced by the three interleukins tested. Whereas all three interleukins stimulated the expression of CD5, PWM and TPA and 8-bromo-guanosine substantially decreased CD5 expression on B lymphoma cells. Differences were also observed in the effect on the expression of surface Ig and on the expression of CD19 and CD20. Interestingly, the three interleukins tested and 8-bromo-guanosine induced differentiation and Ig secretion within 24 to 48 hours with no prior activation by B-cell activators, such as anti-surface Ig antibody. These results suggest that leukemic B cells are arrested at a point distal to activation and first cell division. Moreover, the similarity in Ig secretion and surface changes induced by TPA and PWM or 8-bromo-guanosine suggest a similar pathway; however, this pathway is different from the differentiation signal induced by the three interleukins.