T cell subset distribution and B cell hyperreactivity in mice expressing interleukin‐4 under the control of major histocompatibility complex class I regulatory sequences

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Abstract
Transgenic mice in which interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) is expressed under the control of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I regulatory sequences show low level expression of IL‐4 in all organs investigated. Several weeks after birth the animals develop thymus hypoplasia with a loss of CD4+CD8+ double‐positive cells and a relative increase in the mature population, especially, and in contrast to previously published lines, the CD4+ single‐positive cells. In the periphery, T lymphocytes eventually decline, CD8+ cells being more strongly affected. Many of the residual T cells exhibit the CD44highMel‐14low phenotype of antigenically experienced T cells. B cells also show an activated phenotype with respect to size, MHC class II and CD23 expression, are more readily stimulated by anti‐μ F(ab′)2 antibodies than are B cells from control littermates, and show a higher spontaneous and antigen‐induced production of IgG1 and IgE.