Regulation of IgE Responses to Inhaled Antigen in Mice by Antigen-Specific γδ T Cells

Abstract
Indirect evidence implicates γδ T cells in the cross-regulation of CD4 αβ T cell responses. Adoptive transfer of small numbers of γδ T cells from ovalbumin (OVA)-tolerant mice selectively suppressed T H 2 -dependent immunoglobulin E(IgE) antibody production without affecting parallel IgG responses. Challenge of these γδ T cells in vitro with specific antigen resulted in production of high levels of interferon γ. The effects of the γδ T cells may be mediated by direct inhibition of OVA-specific CD4 + T H 2 cell proliferation or selection for specific CD4 T H 2 cells.