title: Dual action of IL-4 on mite antigen-induced IgE synthesis in lymphocytes from individuals with bronchial asthma.
abstract: Polyclonal IgE synthesis was efficiently induced by Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) antigen in freshly derived peripheral blood lymphocytes from mite-sensitive individuals with bronchial asthma. The in vitro IgE production was significantly correlated with total serum IgE values. The induced IgE synthesis was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by antibodies to IL-4, indicating a role for endogenous IL-4. Although IL-4 alone increased IgE production, high concentrations (1-100 U/ml) of the cytokine inhibited Df antigen-stimulated production of IgE. However, low concentrations (0.001-0.01 U/ml) of IL-4 significantly enhanced Df antigen-induced IgE production, as did high doses of IL-4 when endogenous IL-4 was neutralized by antibodies to IL-4. Two other cytokines, IL-10 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), showed contrasting actions, as judged from experiments with, exogenous cytokine and anti-cytokine antibodies: IL-10 enhanced and IFN-gamma inhibited Df antigen-induced IgE synthesis. Thus, mite-stimulated IgE production in lymphocytes from individuals with bronchial asthma appears to be regulated by at least three cytokines: IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-gamma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Saitama Medical School, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kawano
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Noma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D000941:Antigens; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000502:physiology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000502:physiology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008925:Mites / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007371:Interferon-gamma