IGE MEMORY B-CELLS IDENTIFIED BY THE POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION

The existence of memory B cells for IgE was investigated using spleen cells harvested from mice primed and boosted with dinitrophenylated ke yhole limpet hemocyanin. Using the polymerase chain reaction, it was f ound that mRNA for IgE was already demonstrable in spleen cells taken 1 day after boost. Spleen cells taken from mice 1 day after boost and cultured in vitro without the addition of antigen also produced anti-d initrophenylated (DNP) IgE antibody. In contrast, mRNA for IgE in sple en cells from mice primed 4 weeks previously, but not boosted, was not demonstrable. Anti-DNP IgE was not produced in cultures of spleen cel ls from mice primed but not boosted. As mRNA for IgE was demonstrable already I day after boost we concluded that mice produce memory B cell s not only for IgM, but also for IgE specific for the immunizing antig en. (C) 1997 Academic Press.