Effects of anti-epsilon on total and specific IgE levels in adult mice.

Adult (2- to 3-month-old) female CBA/J mice were injected intraperitoneally with heavy chain specific rabbit anti-IgE (anti-epsilon) to determine its effects on total and specific serum IgE. Animals receiving 10 X 250 micrograms injections over a 50-day period displayed significantly increased (10 X levels of serum IgE compared to rabbit gamma-globulin or untreated controls. If animals were immunized with castor allergen (CA) prior to anti-epsilon treatments their IgE anti-CA titers were significantly suppressed, although their total IgE levels were not significantly different compared to controls. In a second series of experiments, mice which received increased quantities (3 X more) of anti-epsilon had no detectable serum IgE (within 30 days post anti-epsilon treatment), significantly decreased titers of IgE antibody, and reduced numbers of IgE bearing spleen and mesenteric lymph node cells. These studies indicate that anti-epsilon injections in adult mice can significantly alter total and specific IgE levels.