IFN-gamma-independent IgG2a production in mice infected with viruses and parasites

After infection with some viruses and intracellular parasites, antibody production is restricted to IgG2a. We first observed that, whereas live viruses such as lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus (LDV) or mouse adenovirus induced mostly an IgG2a response, a large proportion of antibodies produced against killed viruses were IgG1. This IgG1 antiviral response was suppressed when live virions were added to inactivated viral particles. These results indicate that the IgG2a preponderance is related to the infectious process itself rather than to the type of antigen involved. Since IFN-gamma is known to stimulate IgG2a production by activated B lymphocytes and to be secreted after infection, we examined the role of this cytokine in the antibody isotypic distribution caused by LDV. Most IgG2a responses were relatively unaffected in mice deficient for the IFN-gamma receptor or treated with anti-IFN-gamma antibody. A similar IFN-gamma-independent IgG2a secretion was observed after infection with the parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Trypanosoma cruzi. However, the IFN-gamma-independent IgG2a production triggered by infection still required the presence of functional T(h) lymphocytes. Therefore, signal(s) other than IFN-gamma secretion may explain the T(h)-dependent isotypic bias in antibody secretion triggered by viruses and parasites.