Antigen-specific modulation of murine IgE and IgG2a responses with glutaraldehyde-polymerized allergen is independent of MHC haplotype and Igh allotype.

C57BL/6 mice treated with high Mr, glutaraldehyde-polymerized ovalbumin of highly restricted heterogeneity (termed OVA-POL) exhibit IgE responses upon later exposure to unmodified OVA which, at peak, are 1-3% of those observed in untreated controls. Concomitantly, anti-OVA IgG2a responses are elevated 250-1000-fold via an interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-dependent mechanism (ref. 4). Here, the impact of OVA-POL treatment on antigen-specific primary and secondary IgE responses is examined in 14 strains of mice. The data indicate that the capacity of this modified allergen to induce pronounced inhibition of IgE responses (75-99%), paralleled by up to 1000-fold increases in IgG2a responses, is not genetically restricted. Moreover, these changes in antibody production were (i) antigen-specific, (ii) isotype-specific and (iii) operated independently of the responder status, MHC or Igh haplotype of the responder mice. In contrast, treatment with unmodified OVA under the same conditions was without effect on IgE production and led to minor increases in anti-OVA IgG2a production.