Interleukin 4 is a growth factor for activated thymocytes: possible role in T-cell ontogeny.

We have shown that recombinant or natural interleukin 4 (IL-4) (formerly called B-cell stimulatory factor 1) induces proliferation of activated adult or fetal thymocytes. In the case of adult thymocytes, IL-4 in combination with Con A or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) stimulated the proliferation of peanut agglutinin (PNA)-negative (-) thymocytes, while PNA-positive (+) thymocytes showed only marginal responses. Further investigation revealed that day 14-17 fetal thymocytes, purified L3T4- LyT2- double-negative adult thymocytes, and single positive L3T4+ LyT2- or L3T4- LyT2+ thymocytes failed to respond to IL-4 or PMA alone but proliferated strongly with both IL-4 and PMA. In contrast, purified double-positive L3T4+ LyT2+ adult thymocytes showed only a marginal proliferative response to these stimuli. Responsiveness of thymic subpopulations to PMA and IL-4 could be inhibited with anti-IL-4 but not with anti-IL-2 monoclonal antibodies, indicating that they were IL-2 independent. Finally, we have observed that supernatants from calcium ionophore and PMA-stimulated adult double-negative L3T4- LyT2- thymocytes induce proliferation of double-negative adult thymocytes. This latter response is inhibited by anti-IL-4 monoclonal antibodies, suggesting that under appropriate stimulation conditions, these immature thymocytes are able to produce IL-4. These observations suggest a role for IL-4 in T-cell ontogeny.