Role of antibody and T cells in the long-term inhibition of IgE synthesis.

We have shown that the long-term inhibition of IgE synthesis associated with perinatal inoculation of syngeneic IgE is accompanied by the synthesis of autoantibodies to IgE. Synthesis of IgE can also be inhibited by passive transfer of syngeneic anti-IgE antibodies. In the present investigation we made use of adoptive transfer experiments to assess the relative roles of antibodies and T cells in the inhibitory process. It was found that spleen cells from IgE-suppressed mice (synthesizing anti-IgE antibodies) could adoptively transfer the state of inhibition to syngeneic adult mice. The inhibition occurred only under conditions in which the recipient mice synthesized anti-IgE antibodies. Separated B cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, or a mixture of B and CD8+ T cells were ineffective. However, strong inhibition of IgE synthesis (as indicated by serum levels and numbers of IgE-secreting cells in the spleen) was observed after transfer of a mixture of B cells and CD4+ (helper) T cells. The results indicate that in this experimental model anti-IgE antibodies are the suppressive agent and that T cells do not play a role other than that of providing help to B cells for anti-IgE synthesis.