title: In vitro synthesis of IgE by human peripheral blood leucocytes: VI. Seasonal variations in synthesis of rye pollen (Lolium perenne) specific IgE.
abstract: Fractionation by Percoll density centrifugation of peripheral blood leucocyte cells, from atopic subjects with seasonal hay fever, unmasked IgE-B cell populations whose individual capacities to synthesize IgE in vitro were obscured in cultures of unfractionated B cells. B cell cultures from all six subjects in the study released rye pollen-specific IgE during the 6 days of culture, but actual synthesis was significant only in October, the pollen season. Synthesis in October occurred most frequently in cultures of mature, low density B cells, which generally responded to the addition of autologous T cells with enhanced synthesis (T-help). T-help was also found for high density B cells in the mid-winter (July) cultures. Total IgE synthesis in vitro demonstrated a less seasonal relationship, although it tended to be maximal for low density B cell cultures in October and for high density B cells in May. All B cell cultures contained preformed total and rye-specific IgE antibody which persisted throughout the pre- and post-pollen seasons, particularly in the low density B cell fractions, even in the absence of de novo synthesis. Moreover, the intracellular levels of rye pollen-specific IgE antibody were often higher in the winter than in the peak of the pollen season. The relevance of this preformed IgE remains to be established.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Western Australia, Perth.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Siemensma
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Krska
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Cameron
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002469:Cell Separation; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008129:Lolium; D008297:Male; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology; D012621:Seasons
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007073:Immunoglobulin E