Fig. 4

Persistent attenuation of OVA-specific IgE and OVA-induced IL-4 (a, c) but not IgG and OVA-induced IL-2 (b, d) in groups of 8 BALB/c mice immunized with OVA in alum (see “Materials and methods”) and in addition receiving the immunoglobulins shown in Figs. 2 and 3 at weekly intervals (×5 injections). All OVA immunized mice were given EWS to drink from day 7 post the first immunization. All mice received boosts of OVA as in Figs. 2 and 3, with a small sample of serum assayed for IgE and IgG 7 days later (figures in parentheses). Mice were rested for a further 11 weeks before receiving a final boost of OVA in alum with sacrifice 10 days later. Data show mean ± SD of IgE/IgG levels in serum in mice at > 14 weeks post the last immunoglobulin treatment, or cytokine levels in 72 cultures of OVA-stimulated splenocytes from these mice. Two control groups (far left in each panel) received either PBS and OVA immunization only, or OVA immunization and normal mouse Ig (not anti-idiotype and immune Ig) respectively. *p < 0.05 compared with mice receiving normal mouse serum and OVA