Nivalenol inhibits total and antigen-specific IgE production in mice

Nivalenol (NIV) has been reported to induce hyperproduction of IgA, which i s regulated by T-helper 2 cells (Th2); however, whether IgE production, whi ch is under the regulation of Th2 cells, is induced by this compound remain s largely unknown. We examined the effect of NIV on antigen-specific IgE pr oduction using ovalbumin (OVA)-specific T cell receptor alpha beta-transgen ic mice. The mice produced significant amounts of total and antigen-specifi c IgE, IgG1, and IgA in serum when given OVA orally. Administration of NIV with OVA suppressed total IgE and OVA-specific IgE, IgG1, and IgA productio n significantly. Cytokine assay using splenocytes obtained from mice given the OVA plus NIV diet revealed that interleukin 4 (IL-4) production was sup pressed and interleuin-2 (IL-2) production was enhanced. These results sugg est that the inhibition of IL-4 production and enhancement of IL-2 producti on induced by NIV suppressed total and antigen-specific IgE production. (C) 2000 Academic Press.