T cell factors influencing B cell development

摘要

The present invention relates to an isolated protein or polypeptide capable of production by T cells and capable of ultimately activating production of B cells. The present invention further provides an isolated DNA molecule encoding the protein or polypeptide capable of production by T cells and capable of ultimately activating production of B cells. The isolated DNA molecule can be inserted as a heterologous DNA in an expression vector forming a recombinant DNA expression system for producing the protein or polypeptide. Likewise, the heterologous DNA can be incorporated in a cell to achieve this objective. The isolated protein or polypeptide of the present invention can be combined with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier or used alone for administration to mammals for activating production of B cells.