ANTI-INTERLEUKIN-4 INHIBITS IMMUNOGLOBULIN-E PRODUCTION IN A MURINE MODEL OF ATOPIC ASTHMA

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) plays an important role in allergy, acting as a n initiating factor and being involved in its persistence and exacerba tions. As interleukin-4 (IL-4) is critical in IgE synthesis, we propos e that treatment of mice with monoclonal anti-IL-4 (11B11) prior to ac tive sensitization with ovalbumin will inhibit IgE synthesis, therefor e arresting the allergic process at an early stage. Mice treated with 11B11 and sensitized with saline or ovalbumin had significantly less s erum IgE than their respective control groups which were treated with saline (p < 0.05). This study suggests that anti-IL-4 may be a prophyl actic agent in asthma and allergic disease.