We have studied the activity of mouse B-cell stimulatory factor 1 (interleukin 4, IL-4) on resting splenic B cells and on a B-cell hybridoma. Purified T-cell-derived as well as recombinant IL-4 was shown to increase the expression of the low-affinity Fc receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon R) on a majority of B lymphocytes in a 24-hr culture period. Levels of Fc epsilon R expression increased 2- to 3-fold on splenic B cells and up to 6-fold on a B-cell hybridoma. The effect was inhibited by an anti-IL-4 monoclonal antibody and by mouse gamma-interferon. Other recombinant lymphokines exhibited no effect on either Fc epsilon R expression or the induction by IL-4. The presence of IgE during the stimulation with IL-4 resulted in an additional increase in Fc epsilon R expression. These data and results showing that IgE prevents Fc epsilon R turnover while IL-4 increases the rate of Fc epsilon R synthesis suggest that the mechanisms by which IgE and IL-4 increase Fc epsilon R expression are likely to be different. The starting population of splenic B cells expressed low levels of Fc epsilon R and was relatively uniform in size (small). After greater than 48 hr of culture with IL-4, viable B cells had not undergone DNA synthesis and consisted mainly of larger highly Fc epsilon R-positive cells (23%) and medium-sized Fc epsilon R-positive cells (60%). A possible role for Fc epsilon R in certain B-cell maturation pathways is discussed.