Immunoglobulin E Levels Following Allogeneic , Autologous , and Syngeneic Bone Marrow

Markedly elevated serum IgE levels have been noted following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and have been correlated with graft-v-host disease (GVHD) in several studies. To investigate this phenomenon. we measured serum IgE levels in 387 allogeneic. 1 43 autologous, and 21 syngeneic BMT recipients before and at intervals after BMT. As a population, allogeneic BMT recipients displayed a biphasic elevation in IgE levels, with peak levels occurring either early (days 1 5 to 1 9) or late (days 80 to 89) posttransplant. Only in individuals in whom peak levels occurred early did IgE level correlate with liver disease. histological changes, and overall clinical stage of GVHD. The association of IgE elevation and GVHD does not appear to be direct since recipients of syngeneic (monozygotic twin) grafts had the highest incidence of IgE hyperresponsiveness as well as the highest absolute IgE levels. Similarly. 22 recipients of autologous marrow not treated with 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide had elevated IgE levels comparable to those seen in allogeneic graft recipients. We