The immunoglobulin E-allergen interaction: a target for therapy of type I allergic diseases.
The interaction of immunoglobulin E and otherwise harmless antigens (allergens) leads in sensitized individuals through effector cell activation to the immediate induction of a cascade of inflammatory reactions, the hallmark of type I allergy. Recently, the molecular and structural characterization of allergens, specific IgE antibodies and their epitopes has made rapid progress. Here we discuss active and passive strategies for therapy of type I allergy, which are based on interfering with the IgE-allergen interaction.
Department of General and Experimental Pathology, University of Vienna, Austria. A5311daa@awiuni11.edvz.univie.ac.at
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R
Valenta
S
S
Almo
T
T
Ball
C
C
Dolecek
P
P
Steinberger
S
S
Laffer
P
P
Eibensteiner
S
S
Flicker
S
S
Vrtala
S
S
Spitzauer
P
P
Valent
S
S
Denepoux
D
D
Kraft
J
J
Banchereau
S
S
Lebecque
D000485:Allergens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination
D000485:Allergens; D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte; D007073:Immunoglobulin E