Interleukin-12 suppresses immunoglobulin E production but enhances immunoglobulin G4 production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

The effect of interleukin-12 (IL-12) on human immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) and IgE production was examined with cells derived from filarial patients and European controls. IL-12 inhibited IgE release but enhanced IgG4 production in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with anti-CD2 plus IL-2. When purified T- and B-cell cocultures were examined, IL-12 again markedly enhanced IgG4, whereas IgE production was no longer inhibited.