Interleukin 4 induces synthesis of IgE and IgG4 in human B cells

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Interleukin (IL) 4 has been shown to regulate the IgG subclasses and induce IgE production in splenic mouse B cells. Here we show that IL 4 and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) induce, on a per cell basis, very high IgE secretion in purified human B cells by using a mouse thymoma (EL4) co-culture method. In addition, a marked increase in the number of IgG4-producing cells was also observed. Furthermore, IL 2 could synergize with IL4 and PMA in the production of IgE. By using limiting dilution analysis, a considerable increase in the precursor frequency for IgE was found when IL 4 and PMA were added to cultures as compared to cultures with PMA only. This indicates that IL4 induces an isotype switch in human B cells.