Widening sensitization spectrum through carbohydrate panepitopes--a hypothesis.
Cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCD) differ from classical peptide epitopes because their cross-reactivity is not restricted to a protein family or domain. They can be considered as panepitopes. Antigen presenting cells (APC) express membrane receptors for IgE. APC-bound IgE are able to widen the patient's sensitization spectrum through cross-binding of allergens belonging to the same protein family or domain. In the case of carbohydrate panepitopes the same mechanism could induce a much larger array of new sensitizations than peptide epitopes can do.
Malandain
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Laboratoire de Biochimie - Centre Hospitalier Chubert - 20, boulevard Guillaudot - 56017 Vannes, France.
D000485:Allergens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D000941:Antigens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D018448:Models, Immunological; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000276:immunology
D000485:Allergens; D000941:Antigens; D002241:Carbohydrates; D000939:Epitopes; D006023:Glycoproteins; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D007073:Immunoglobulin E