Consequences of IgE/CD23-mediated antigen presentation in allergy.
Allergen-specific IgE antibodies are responsible for the generation of immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions. However, as described here by Geert Mudde, Roy Bheekha and Carla Bruijnzeel-Koomen, IgE may also be involved in the uptake and processing of allergens. Such IgE-mediated antigen presentation may lead to a continuous (over) activation of the immune system due to high titers of IgE and the presence of large numbers of allergen-specific Th2 cells. In addition, it may be a cause for the advance of disease from a 'single allergy' to 'multi-allergy' syndrome.
Mudde
G C
GC
Dept of Immune Regulation, SANDOZ Research Institute, Vienna, Austria.
Bheekha
R
R
Bruijnzeel-Koomen
C A
CA
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology*; D017578:Immunoglobulin Class Switching; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008211:Lymphocyte Cooperation; D051379:Mice; D018448:Models, Immunological; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000276:immunology*
D000485:Allergens; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D007073:Immunoglobulin E