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Immunology Today, vol. 4, No. 12, 1983
Proposed nomenclature for B-cell stimulating factors A group of scientists interested in lymphokines which regulate activation, growth and differentiation of B lymphocytes met in Kyoto on 21 August 1983 to consider the nomenclature of these substances. Tadamitsu Kishimoto of Osaka University chaired the meeting, which was sponsored by the Immunology Board of the US-Japan Co-operative Medical Sciences Program. The group proposed that factors which had been well characterized functionally and chemically, preferably by more than one laboratory, be given a formal designation. Such a designation would be of the form: B-cell stimulatory factor (BSF), followed by a consecutive number (i.e. 1, 2 ...n). Unless the factor had been purified to homogeneity or its structure determined from cloning and sequencing of its gene, a 'p', for provisional, would precede this number. As a result of reviewing available data, the group concluded that the factor referred to as B-cell growth factor (BCGF) had been sufficiently well characterized to warrant a 'BSF' designation. This factor acts upon activated B cells and leads to the entry of those cells into S phase. Resting B cells are insensitive to its action and acquire sensitivity as a result of stimulation by agents such as anti-immunoglobulin antibodies. The murine factor has a molecular weight of 18 000 by neutral gel filtration and 15 000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). It exists in two charged species of pI 6.4-6.6 and 7.4-7.6, respectively. Human BCGF has been reported to have a molecular weight of 17 000-22 000 by gel filtration and 12 000 by SDSPAGE; pIs of 5.9-6.9 have been obtained. It is now proposed that this material be designated BSF-pl. When its purification is complete or it has been molecularly cloned, it would be given the designation BSF-1. It was further proposed that BSF designations for other factors only be made by general agreement on the part of a working group such as that convened in Kyoto. Accordingly, efforts for such a group to meet on a regular basis will be made. The working group also suggested a formula for the naming of newly described factors prior to their receiving a BSF designation. Such names would have three parts. First, an abbreviation of the cell source of the factor (for example EL for EL-4 thymoma line); second, an abbreviation of the activity of the factor (for example BCAF for B-cell activating factor, BCGF for B-cell growth factor, BCDF for B-cell differentiation factor); and third, an abbreviation of the name of one of the authors describing the factor (for example how for Howard). Thus, the
murine factor now designated BSF-pl would have been termed EL-BCGF-how. Those who attended the working group meeting also agreed to the following statement. 'For the clarification of the nature of the various factors involved in B-cell activation, proliferation and differentiation/maturation, it would be desirable that laboratories of those in the field co-operate by exchanging cells and reagents and by assaying new factors for colleagues. Those of us that agree to participate in this exchange agree that we will give proper credit and will protect the scientific interests of the contributors of factors.' This statement was signed by the following individuals, who also endorsed the nomenclature proposals of the working group: ANTONIO COUTINHO, Pasteur Institute RICHARD DUTTON, University of California, San Diego ANTHONY FAUCI, National Institutes of Health TOSHIYUKI HAMAOKA, Osaka University TOSHIO HIRANO, Kumamoto University MICHAEL HOFFMANN, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research MAUREEN HOWARD, National Institutes of Health TADAMITSUKISHIMOTO, Osaka University TARO KURITANI, Osaka University FRITZ MELCHERS, Basle Institute for Immunology GUSTAV NOSSAL, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute MASAJI OKADA, Osaka University DAVID PARKER, University of Massachusetts MICHAEL PARKHOUSE, National Institute for Medical Research WILLIAM PAUL, National Institutes of Health MAX SCHREIER, Basle Institute for Immunology KENDALL SMITH, Dartmouth University SUSAN SWAIN,University of California, San Diego KIYOSHI TAKATSU, Kumamoto University TADATSUGUTANIGUCHI, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research JAMES WATSON, University of Auckland WILLIAM WEIGLE, Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation JUNJI YODOI, Kyoto University KAZUYUKIYOSHIZAKI,Osaka University WILLIAME. PAUL Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20205, USA.
Immunology Today, vol. 4, No. 12, 1983
Proposed nomenclature for B-cell stimulating factors A group of scientists interested in lymphokines which regulate activation, growth and differentiation of B lymphocytes met in Kyoto on 21 August 1983 to consider the nomenclature of these substances. Tadamitsu Kishimoto of Osaka University chaired the meeting, which was sponsored by the Immunology Board of the US-Japan Co-operative Medical Sciences Program. The group proposed that factors which had been well characterized functionally and chemically, preferably by more than one laboratory, be given a formal designation. Such a designation would be of the form: B-cell stimulatory factor (BSF), followed by a consecutive number (i.e. 1, 2 ...n). Unless the factor had been purified to homogeneity or its structure determined from cloning and sequencing of its gene, a 'p', for provisional, would precede this number. As a result of reviewing available data, the group concluded that the factor referred to as B-cell growth factor (BCGF) had been sufficiently well characterized to warrant a 'BSF' designation. This factor acts upon activated B cells and leads to the entry of those cells into S phase. Resting B cells are insensitive to its action and acquire sensitivity as a result of stimulation by agents such as anti-immunoglobulin antibodies. The murine factor has a molecular weight of 18 000 by neutral gel filtration and 15 000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). It exists in two charged species of pI 6.4-6.6 and 7.4-7.6, respectively. Human BCGF has been reported to have a molecular weight of 17 000-22 000 by gel filtration and 12 000 by SDSPAGE; pIs of 5.9-6.9 have been obtained. It is now proposed that this material be designated BSF-pl. When its purification is complete or it has been molecularly cloned, it would be given the designation BSF-1. It was further proposed that BSF designations for other factors only be made by general agreement on the part of a working group such as that convened in Kyoto. Accordingly, efforts for such a group to meet on a regular basis will be made. The working group also suggested a formula for the naming of newly described factors prior to their receiving a BSF designation. Such names would have three parts. First, an abbreviation of the cell source of the factor (for example EL for EL-4 thymoma line); second, an abbreviation of the activity of the factor (for example BCAF for B-cell activating factor, BCGF for B-cell growth factor, BCDF for B-cell differentiation factor); and third, an abbreviation of the name of one of the authors describing the factor (for example how for Howard). Thus, the
murine factor now designated BSF-pl would have been termed EL-BCGF-how. Those who attended the working group meeting also agreed to the following statement. 'For the clarification of the nature of the various factors involved in B-cell activation, proliferation and differentiation/maturation, it would be desirable that laboratories of those in the field co-operate by exchanging cells and reagents and by assaying new factors for colleagues. Those of us that agree to participate in this exchange agree that we will give proper credit and will protect the scientific interests of the contributors of factors.' This statement was signed by the following individuals, who also endorsed the nomenclature proposals of the working group: ANTONIO COUTINHO, Pasteur Institute RICHARD DUTTON, University of California, San Diego ANTHONY FAUCI, National Institutes of Health TOSHIYUKI HAMAOKA, Osaka University TOSHIO HIRANO, Kumamoto University MICHAEL HOFFMANN, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research MAUREEN HOWARD, National Institutes of Health TADAMITSUKISHIMOTO, Osaka University TARO KURITANI, Osaka University FRITZ MELCHERS, Basle Institute for Immunology GUSTAV NOSSAL, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute MASAJI OKADA, Osaka University DAVID PARKER, University of Massachusetts MICHAEL PARKHOUSE, National Institute for Medical Research WILLIAM PAUL, National Institutes of Health MAX SCHREIER, Basle Institute for Immunology KENDALL SMITH, Dartmouth University SUSAN SWAIN,University of California, San Diego KIYOSHI TAKATSU, Kumamoto University TADATSUGUTANIGUCHI, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research JAMES WATSON, University of Auckland WILLIAM WEIGLE, Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation JUNJI YODOI, Kyoto University KAZUYUKIYOSHIZAKI,Osaka University WILLIAME. PAUL Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20205, USA.
