The effect of anti-mu suppression of γM and γG on the production of γE*

Newborn mice were treated from the day of birth with either bovine gamma globulin or anti-mu chain sera. The latter was administered using a protocol known to produce suppression of γM, γG, and γA production. Subsequent immunization with ovalbumin (OA) in alum was attempted to see if suppression of γM, γG, and γA classes of antibody would also be accompanied by suppression of γE-producing capacity. γG and γM antibody to OA and mercaptoethanol-resistant (γG) antibody to OA were measured by passive hemagglutination; γG and γE anti-OA antibodies were measured by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. Anti-mu suppression was achieved with significant reduction in γM and γG antibodies. γE antibodies were not affected, suggesting an ontogenetic development for γE-bearing lymphocytes independent of the previously described γM to γG to γA ontogenetic sequence.