Role of Interleukin 4 and Gamma Interferon in the Regulation of Human IgE Synthesis: Possible Alterations in Atopic Patients

Abstract

The IgE helper function of human T cell clones or their phytohemagglutinin-induced supernatants was positively correlated with their ability to produce or their content in interleukin 4 (IL-4), whereas it was inversely correlated with production of or content in gamma interferon. The addition to B cell cultures of anti-IL-4 antibody abolished not only the IgE synthesis induced by recombinant human IL-4, but also that induced by IL-4-producing T cell clones or their phytohemagglutinin-induced supernatants. A clonal analysis in non-atopic donors and patients with common atopy showed that atopies possess in their peripheral blood significantly higher numbers of T cells able to secrete IL-4 and to provide helper function for IgE.

lnterleukin-4, Soluble CD23 and Interferon-γ Levels in Serum during the First 18 Months of Life

“…In the murine system, IgE synthesis is controlled by two T helper cell subsets, Thl and Th2, which exhibit different cytokine production profiles [2], Similar observations have been established in humans [3][4][5], Interleukin (lL)-4 derived from the Th2 subset in duces class switching to IgE production in B lymphocytes [5,6], while interferon (IFN)-y derived from e.g. Thl cells inhibit it [7], Flolt et al [8] have demonstrated that the IFN-y-producing capacity of CD4+ T cell clones from young children is reduced relative to adults.…”

Aero‐allergen avoidance in the prevention and treatment of asthma

“…It bas been proposed tbat there is a genetically determined defect in T lymphocytes of allergic subjects which leads to an upset in the control of IgE antibody production [8]. Animal, and now human studies, bave shown that there are differences in T-cell generation of the peptide regulators interleukins 4 and 5 between allergic and nonallergic individuls [9,10]. As interleukin 4 is an essential factor for the induction of IgE synthesis and interleukin 5 stimulates eosinophil proliferation and activation, these may be looked upon as pivotal in the generation of allergy and asthma.…”

Interleukin-4-Induced IgG Subclass and IgE Secretion by Mononuclear Cells from Atopic Donors

“…However, contrary to the optimal IL-4 concentrations used in vitro, less IL-4 may be available in normal individuals in vivo. On the other hand, the atopic status is likely to be associated with a high endogenous IL-4 secre tion because of an increased frequency of IL-4-producing T helper cells in atopies [13]. To our knowl edge, no data have so far been available on IL-4 and IFN-y serum concentrations in atopic versus normal persons.…”