Changes in the expression of B cell surface markers on complement receptor-positive and complement receptor-negative B cells induced by phorbol myristate acetate.

The ability of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) to induce changes in the expression of B cell surface markers on CR- and CR+ B cells from normal mice in an in vitro culture system was examined. The markers studied were CR, sIgM, sIgD, and sIa. CR- B cells acquired the CR after overnight incubation with PMA. A twofold increase in sIa expression on CR- and CR+ B cells was also noted, whereas the staining intensity of sIgM and sIgD decreased on both B cell populations. These changes in the expression of surface markers took place without detectable increases in cell proliferation, cell size, or RNA content. Furthermore, the same effects were observed when CR- and CR+ B cells were prepared from a small B cell population purified by elutriation. It therefore appears that PMA can exert its effect directly on small, resting B cells.