Preferential enhancement of IgE antibody response was observed in BALB/c mice by the administration of Bordetella pertussis with antigen (DNP-Salmonella). Correlation between B cell mitogenic activity and adjuvant action among B. pertussis, Salmonella, lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli and Ficoll was examined but was not found. Thymus-derived cells seemed necessary to develop adjuvant action of B. pertussis since antibody response in athymic nude mice was not influenced by B. pertussis. Helper function of adoptively transferred spleen cells was enhanced by immunization of the donor mice with carrier antigen in the presence of B. pertussis. The magnitude of enhancement was greatest in IgE class. The results indicated that preferential enhancement of IgE antibody formation by B. pertussis is mediated by the augmentation of carrier-specific helper function.
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