SummlryWe have examined the contributions of Interleukin 4 (Ib4), IL-5, and other stimuli to the expression of Immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgE in murine B lymphoblasts activated with anti-Ig. The combination of IL-4 and -5 induced B lymphobhsts to proliferate and to secrete IgM and IgG1. However, an additional stimulus was required along with II:4 and -5 for induction of IgE secretion. This stimulus was provided by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) or cytokines produced by TC-1 or EL4 cells. In the absence of II.-5, exceptionally high concentrations of II.-4 (>1,000 U/ml) were required to elicit IgG1 and IgE secretion from B lymphoblasts cultured with either LPS or TC-l-conditioned media (CM). To investigate regulation of expression of 3'1 and ~ genes by I1,4, -5, and LPS, the requirements for induction of 3'1 and e germline and productive transcripts were examined. Germline 3'1, but not e, transcripts were detected in RNA from B lymphoblasts treated with I1,4 and -5 for 48 h. In contrast, both germline 3'1 and e transcripts could be detected in B lymphoblasts cultured with I1,4 and LPS, and steady state levels of germline 3'1 transcripts were four-to sevenfold higher in blasts cultured with LPS and Ib4, compared with blasts cultured with I1,4 and -5. LPS enhanced steady state levels of germline transcripts induced by I1,4, but LPS did not promote substantial accumulation of productive 3'1 and e transcripts. In contrast, I1,5 did not affect steady state levels of germline transcripts stimulated by I1,4, but did markedly increase levels of productive 3'1 and e transcripts. Thus, lymphokines regulate two distinct events in isotype switching: induction of germline transcripts (I1,4), and production of VDJ-C3'I and VDJ-Ce mRNA (I1,5), which leads to secretion of IgG1 and IgE.