In this study we investigated the role of the low-affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RII, CD23) on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed human B cells in the uptake and presentation to T cells of antigen after complexing with IgE. Cloned EBV-transformed B cells were incubated for 5 h with (4-hydroxy-3-iodo-5-nitrophenyl)acetyl (NIP)-haptenized tetanus toxoid (NIP-TT) or NIP-TT complexed with a chimeric human IgE/mouse anti-NIP monoclonal antibody (IgE x NIP-TT) and then contacted for 2 min with autologous cloned TT-specific T cells. Intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in T cells was determined as an early indicator of T cell activation. The antigen-presenting capacity of B cells was significantly increased by complexing the antigen with IgE. This effect could be selectively reversed in a dose-dependent manner by blocking the Fc epsilon RII with an anti-CD23 monoclonal antibody. The IgE-mediated increased capacity for presenting antigen became particularly evident when B cells were incubated with NIP-TT or IgE x NIP-TT for only 1 h at 4 degrees C, washed and then cultivated for 6 h at 37 degrees C allowing uptake and processing of the antigen. These results indicate a new role of the Fc epsilon RII/CD23 molecules in the uptake of antigen by APC which might be of importance in the maintenance of an ongoing immune response against allergens.