The relationship between specific IgE antibody and non-specific IgE in anaphylactic sensitization of mice and rats.

The mice from inbred strains BALB/c, 129, C3H/A, C57BL/6J and outbred Wistar rats were tested for their capacity for reaginic sensitization on the response to antigenic stimuli. The total serum IgE level measured before immunization was highest in 129 mice and increased (2.5-3-fold) after immunization. BALB/c mice also showed an increase of the total serum IgE after immunization, whereas in two other strains such effect was not observed. All mouse strains tested produced IgE antibodies after immunization and the results suggest, that these IgE antibodies form only minor part of the total IgE content during immunization; in 129 and BALB/c mice beside IgE antibody response the production of non-specific IgE may be potentiated and these IgE may interfere in passive sensitization of mast cells with IgE antibodies. The examination of rats also showed, that mast cells with lower concentration of non-specific IgE are better acceptors for sensitization with IgE antibodies.