In vivo interleukin-4 regulation of antibody responses in euthymic and athymic mice to a T-independent antigen (hydroxyethyl starch).
The aim of this work was to analyze the implication of IL-4 in the antibody response induced in vivo after immunization with a class II T-cell-independent (TI) antigen. IL-4 suppression, through administration of a rat monoclonal antibody antimurine IL-4 (11B11), in euthymic BALB/c mice during the course of immunization with the DNP-coupled hydroxyethyl starch (TI antigen), inhibited the production of anti-DNP IgG1 antibodies, potentiated the synthesis of IgG2a and had no effect on the other isotypes (IgM, IgG2b and IgG3). After IL-4 treatment of athymic BALB/c mice in the same conditions, although the IgG2a production was not increased, the IgG1 synthesis was significantly decreased, as was observed in euthymic mice. These results demonstrate that cytokine IL-4 plays an active role in vivo in the regulation of antibody response after immunization by a T-cell-independent antigen, in normal as well as in nude mice. The origin of IL-4 in these animals and especially in those athymic mice remains to be determined.
Macedo-Soares
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F
Experimental Immunology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Latinne
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D
Denis
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O
Bazin
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H
D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects*; D000955:Antigens, T-Independent / Q000276:immunology*; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives / Q000276:immunology*; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D051381:Rats
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000955:Antigens, T-Independent; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D015847:Interleukin-4