The effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on human immunoglobulin (Ig) production were studied in (1) B cell lines; (2) anti-CD40 mAb-stimulated B cells from non-atopic donors; and (3) unstimulated mononuclear cells from atopic patients. In B cell lines, GM-1056, IM-9, and CBL, VIP enhanced IgA1, IgG1 and IgM production, respectively, in a dose-dependent fashion, while the other neuropeptides somatostatin (SOM) or substance P (SP) failed to do so. Among the various cytokines examined including IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-13, and G-CSF. IL-6 and IL-10 also enhanced Ig production. However, VIP-induced enhancement of Ig production was specific, and was not mediated via these cytokines, since enhancement was blocked by the VIP antagonist, while SOM and SP antagonists, anti-IL-6 mAb, or anti-IL-10 Ab failed to do so. In anti-CD40 mAb-stimulated B cells from nonatopic donors, VIP selectively induced IgA1 and IgA2 production without affecting IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgM, or IgE production. This stimulatory effect was specifically blocked by the VIP antagonist, but not by SOM or SP antagonists, anti-IL-5 mAb, anti-IL-10 Ab, or anti-TGF-beta Ab. VIP induced IgA1 and IgA2 production by surface IgA1- (sIgA1-) and sIgA2-B cells, respectively, while this agent had no effect on sIgA1+ and sIgA2+B cells. In contrast, in unstimulated mononuclear cells from atopic patients, VIP selectively inhibited spontaneous IgE and IgG4 production without affecting IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgM, IgA1, or IgA2 production. This inhibitory effect was specifically blocked by the VIP antagonist, but not by anti-IFN-alpha Ab, anti-IFN-gamma mAb, anti-IL-12 Ab, or anti-TGF-beta Ab. VIP did not inhibit IgE or IgG4 production in B cells or in B cells cultured with either T cells or monocytes. However, VIP inhibited IgE and IgG4 production when B cells were cultured with both T cells and monocytes.