title: Interleukin 5 (IL-5) provides a signal that is required in addition to IL-4 for isotype switching to immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 and IgE.
abstract: We have examined the contributions of Interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-5, and other stimuli to the expression of Immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgE in murine B lymphoblasts activated with anti-Ig. The combination of IL-4 and -5 induced B lymphoblasts to proliferate and to secrete IgM and IgG1. However, an additional stimulus was required along with IL-4 and -5 for induction of IgE secretion. This stimulus was provided by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) or cytokines produced by TC-1 or EL4 cells. In the absence of IL-5, exceptionally high concentrations of IL-4 (greater than 1,000 U/ml) were required to elicit IgG1 and IgE secretion from B lymphoblasts cultured with either LPS or TC-1-conditioned media (CM). To investigate regulation of expression of gamma 1 and epsilon genes by IL-4, -5, and LPS, the requirements for induction of gamma 1 and epsilon germline and productive transcripts were examined. Germline gamma 1, but not epsilon, transcripts were detected in RNA from B lymphoblasts treated with IL-4 and -5 for 48 h. In contrast, both germline gamma 1 and epsilon transcripts could be detected in B lymphoblasts cultured with IL-4 and LPS, and steady state levels of germline gamma 1 transcripts were four- to sevenfold higher in blasts cultured with LPS and IL-4, compared with blasts cultured with IL-4 and -5. LPS enhanced steady state levels of germline transcripts induced by IL-4, but LPS did not promote substantial accumulation of productive gamma 1 and epsilon transcripts. In contrast, IL-5 did not affect steady state levels of germline transcripts stimulated by IL-4, but did markedly increase levels of productive gamma 1 and epsilon transcripts. Thus, lymphokines regulate two distinct events in isotype switching: induction of germline transcripts (IL-4), and production of VDJ-C gamma 1 and VDJ-C epsilon mRNA (IL-5), which leads to secretion of IgG1 and IgE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia Medical School, Charlottesville 22908.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Purkerson
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Isakson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells / Q000502:physiology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D015326:Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Heavy Chain; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000502:physiology*; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000502:physiology*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes; D015848:Interleukin-5; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E