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Impaired Antigen‐Specific B‐Cell Response and Altered Splenic Microstructure in Mice Following Continuous Administration of IL‐4 In Vivo
Author(s) -
SCHILIZZI B. M.,
SAVELKOUL H. F. J.,
JONGE M. W. A.,
THE T. H.,
LEIJ L.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.934
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1365-3083
pISSN - 0300-9475
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3083.1995.tb03594.x
Subject(s) - germinal center , spleen , antigen , b cell , immunoglobulin e , immunology , antibody , in vivo , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
The effect of long term in vivo administration of IL‐4 on the induction of antigen‐specific B cells, the splenic microenvironment and the yield of antigen‐specific antibody producing hybridomas was studied. Immunization with DNP‐KLH, followed by 12 weeks continuous IL‐4 treatment resulted in increased numbers of total splenic (non‐DNP) IgM and IgG AFC (antibody forming cells) on day 5 after booster, whereas the DNP‐specific IgG and IgG1 AFC were reduced compared to age‐matched control animals not treated with IL‐4. In addition, an almost 300‐fold increase in non‐DNP IgE was found while the IgE anti‐DNP response was minimal. When the splenic cells were used in a fusion protocol, a relative decrease in yield of antigen‐specific hybridomas was found in the long term IL‐4 treated mice. Immunohistological staining of spleen sections from mice treated with IL‐4 up until the time of booster revealed reduced B‐cell follicle area and germinal centre numbers. These results show that extensive IL‐4 treatment reduced antigen‐specific B‐cell formation and suggests a reduction in the number of B cells entering the memory B‐cell pathway in the spleen.