In vivo IL-4 responses to anti-IgD antibody are MHC class II dependent and beta 2-microglobulin independent and develop normally in the absence of IL-4 priming of T cells.

A crucial role for CD1-responsive, MHC class II-unrestricted T cells in the generation of T cell IL-4 responses is suggested by the: 1) requirement for IL-4 to prime in vitro IL-4 responses by naive CD4+ T cells; 2) ability of TCR cross-linking to induce CD1-responsive T cells, but not conventional naive T cells, to produce IL-4; 3) failure of anti-IgD Ab to induce an IL-4-dependent IgE response in beta 2-microglobulin-deficient mice, which lack CD1; and 4) reported ability of MHC class II-deficient mice to make IgE responses to anti-IgD Ab. In contrast, the Ag specificity of cytokine and Ab responses in anti-IgD-injected mice and the normal IgE responses made by anti-IgD-treated CD1-deficient mice are difficult to reconcile with this view. We now find that the failure of beta 2-microglobulin-deficient mice to make an IgE response to anti-IgD Ab is caused by their rapid degradation of anti-IgD; sustained anti-IgD treatment induces them to make relatively normal IL-4 and IgE responses. Furthermore, in our study, MHC class II-deficient mice make little or no IL-4 or IgE responses to anti-IgD Ab and beta 2-microglobulin-deficient mice make large in vivo IL-4 responses to anti-CD3 mAb. Finally, although IL-4 priming of T cells for IL-4 production is Stat6 dependent, Stat6-deficient mice make normal IL-4 responses to anti-IgD. Thus, CD1-responsive T cells and other beta 2-microglobulin-dependent T cells are not required to prime conventional CD4+ T cells to make IL-4 responses to anti-IgD in vivo; in fact, the large IL-4 response made in this system does not require IL-4 priming.