Interleukin-4 gene expression and IgE responsiveness.
Interleukin-4 (IL-4) gene expression by stimulation with concanavalin A (Con A) in murine spleen cells was examined. The amount of IL-4 mRNA induced by Con A was greatest in spleen cells obtained from IgE high responder strains of mice. A trace amount of IL-4 mRNA was induced in spleen cells from IgE low responder (SJL) mice. The amount of IL-4 mRNA induced in spleen cells from an IgE intermediate responder (C57BL/6) was smaller than that from high responders, but significantly greater than that from low responders. Spleen cells from IgE nonresponders (SJA/9) developed only a negligible amount of IL-4 mRNA. IL-4 mRNA was detected in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with Con A. The IL-4 gene expression seemed to be greater in PBMC obtained from highly atopic patients and was decreased in PBMC from individuals showing hypo-IgE immunoglobulinemia (less than 10 IU/ml). The results obtained in the present study may indicate that high and low IgE responder traits are determined depending on their levels of IL-4 mRNA expression.
Department of Medicine and Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Japan.
H
H
Okudaira
A
A
Mori
K
K
Akiyoshi
K
K
Yamamoto
M
M
Suko
N
N
Watanabe
M
M
Ito
K
K
Takahashi
T
T
Juji
D000818:Animals; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000528:radiation effects; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E