Regulation of IgE production in mice

Helper T-lymphocytes tightly regulate the proliferation and antibody production of B-lymphocytes by a variety of molecules called lymphokines. Molecular biology has provided the tools to produce large amounts of these regulatory molecules in highly purified "recombinant" form. Furthermore, monoclonal antibodies have been produced that selectively neutralize each of these lymphokines. This enables thorough investigation of the regulation of human and murine immunoglobulin E (IgE) production. This paper reviews recent data on the regulation of murine IgE production by lymphokines produced by distinct helper T-cell clones. Special attention is paid to the IgE enhancing activity of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and the IgE inhibiting activity of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Evidence is presented that these lymphokines also play a crucial role in genetically determined IgE "high responder" and IgE "low responder" mouse strains.