Seasonal enhancement of IL‐4 induced IgE synthesis by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of atopic patients

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Abstract
The role of IL‐4 on IgE synthesis has been well established. IL‐4 has been shown to promote IgE production by B cells from atopic and non‐atopic donors. In this study, the effects of natural exposure to pollens on IL‐4‐indueed IgE synthesis by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of atopic and non‐atopic donors were examined. The results confirm production of IgE in an IL‐4 dose‐dependent manner by PBMC cultures of these two groups. When cultures were performed out of the pollen season, following stimulation by IL‐4, no significant difference was observed between the levels of IgE produced by PBMC of atopic and non‐atopic donors. In contrast, upon natural exposure to pollens, significant higher levels of IgE were measured in the atopic group than in the non‐atopic one. These results show that the policn season infiuences the IL‐4‐induced IgE synthesis by PBMC of allergic patients and are in keeping with seasonal rise of specific IgE antibodies.