Cellular requirements of IgE-antibody regulation

Regulation of IgE antibody response is T-cell dependent. It has been suggested that IL-4 (BSF-1) induces the expression of Fc epsilon RII on B-lymphocytes. Soluble molecules of the FC epsilon RII with various molecular weights represent IgE-binding factors which according to the current opinion either enhance or suppress the IgE-antibody response. In mice IgE suppressive factors were obtained, which inhibited IgE-synthesis in vitro and in vivo. IgE suppressive factors were also obtained by incubating MLN-cells with monoclonal IgE. In humans IgE binding factors are present within serum of normal donors. In atopics IgE-BF is apparently complexed with IgE. Thus, it becomes clear that the expression of IgE-bearing lymphocytes as well as the secretion of IgE is cytokine mediated.