Relationships between IgE Antibody Production and Other Immune Responses

Abstract

Mice were subjected to thymectomy at various times after birth and immunized with ovalbumin in aluminum hydroxide gel at 4 or 8 weeks of age. The capacities to produce IgE, IgM and IgG antibodies were abolished by thymectomy carried out within 48 h after birth. The capacity to produce IgE antibody was not affected by thymectomy at 7 days or later, whereas the capacities to produce IgM and IgG antibodies were reduced by thymectomy carried out at 4 weeks of age.