The effects of interleukin (IL) 4 on B cell growth and differentiation are mediated through binding of IL 4 to a specific cell surface receptor. The murine T cell IL 4 receptor (IL 4R) has recently been cloned and monoclonal antibodies (mAb) which bind specifically to the IL 4R have been developed. The ability of two of these anti-IL 4R mAb (M1 and M2) to inhibit IL 4-induced B cell functions in vitro was examined. The M1 mAb inhibited the ability of IL 4 to induce B cell proliferation in a dose-related fashion. The inhibition was specific for proliferation induced by IL 4 in that the antibody did not affect induction of proliferation by IL 1. Similarly, M1 inhibited IL 4-dependent B cell differentiation as measured by induction of IgG1 and IgE secretion, decreased IgG3 secretion, increased Ia expression, and increased Fc epsilon R (CD23) expression. In contrast, the anti-IL 4R-specific mAb M2 had no effect upon any of these activities. The ability of M1 but not M2 to inhibit IL 4-induced B cell growth and differentiation correlated with the inhibition of binding of radiolabeled IL 4 by M1. These reagents should be valuable tools with which to analyze the involvement of IL 4 in immune responses.