Transfer of immediate hypersensitivity and airway hyperresponsiveness by IgE-positive B cells.
The role of allergen-specific sIgE+ B cells in the development of airway hyperresponsiveness to electrical field stimulation was examined in a murine model of allergic sensitization. Ovalbumin (OVA)-specific B cells (OVA+) were isolated from mice that were sensitized to aerosolized OVA. The OVA+ B cell population was shown to be distinct from the remaining, non-OVA-responsive B cells (OVA-). There was a high frequency of sIgE+ B cells and a low frequency of sIgG+ B cells in the OVA+ population compared with the OVA- population, where the ratio was reversed. Although both populations produced immunoglobulin in vitro, only the OVA+ cells secreted anti-OVA antibodies. Transfer of 10(6) OVA+ B cells or as few as 5 x 10(4) OVA+/sIgE+ B cells was able to transfer the capability for anti-OVA IgE synthesis and cutaneous reactivity to OVA in naive recipients. Exposure to OVA via the airways in addition to transfer of OVA+ B cells was necessary for development of airway hyperresponsiveness, whereas recipients challenged with an irrelevant allergen, ragweed, had normal airway function. Transfer of up to 10(7) OVA- B cells failed to induce production of anti-OVA IgE. Despite production of polyclonal IgE, recipients of OVA- B cells did not develop airway hyperresponsiveness after OVA challenge. We conclude that both allergen-specific IgE production and local challenge via the airways with specific allergen are necessary to change airway function in this model.
Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Denver, Colorado 80206, USA.
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G
Lack
A
A
Oshiba
K L
KL
Bradley
J E
JE
Loader
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D
Amran
G L
GL
Larsen
E W
EW
Gelfand
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000276:immunology*; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D000939:Epitopes; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D007114:Immunization; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis*; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests
D000939:Epitopes; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D010047:Ovalbumin