DNA from Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (MY-1) inhibits immunoglobulin E production by human lymphocytes.
A DNA fraction purified from Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and designated MY-1 induced interferon (IFN)-gamma production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). IFN-gamma is well known as a downregulator of IgE production. In this study we investigated whether MY-1 regulates IgE production by human PBMC in vitro. MY-1 inhibited IgE production in PBMC taken from normal donors and stimulated with interleukin (IL)-4 plus monoclonal anti-CD40 antibody, without affecting production of IgA. MY-1 enhanced production of IFN-gamma and IL-12 by PBMC. Inhibition by MY-1 of IgE production was mediated by both IFN-gamma and IL-12, since the MY-1-induced suppression was blocked by the addition of monoclonal anti-IFN-gamma antibody, monoclonal anti-IL-12 antibody or a monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed at the IL-12 receptor. MY-1 inhibited the induction of epsilon germ-line transcript by IL-4. Additionally, MY-1 inhibited spontaneous in vitro production of IgE by PBMC from atopic donors in the absence of IL-4 plus anti-CD40 mAb. These results suggest that exposure to MY-1 may be a novel strategy for the treatment of IgE-related allergic disease.
Fujieda
S
S
Departments of Otorhinolaryngology and Immunology, Fukui Medical University, Fukui, Matsuoka, Yoshida, Japan. sfujieda@fmsrsa.fukui-med.ac.jp
Iho
S
S
Kimura
Y
Y
Sunaga
H
H
Igawa
H
H
Sugimoto
C
C
Yamamoto
S
S
Saito
H
H
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000235:genetics*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D019013:CD40 Antigens; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D018664:Interleukin-12; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007371:Interferon-gamma