title: Structural features of allergenic molecules.
abstract: In this paper the relation between protein allergenicity (the capacity to induce IgE antibody production or the capacity to activate mast cells sensitized with IgE antibodies induced by a cross-reactive allergen) and protein structure is discussed. While cross-reactivity is to a large degree predictable from primary sequence comparisons, the IgE-inducing capacity is mostly determined by factors other than the primary sequence. Two routes to IgE are discussed: (1) the atopic route (used by allergens from pollen and mites) in which a direct switch from mu to epsilon is common and (2) the 'modified Th2' route (used by allergens from pets) in which the class switch to IgE is often preceded by a switch to IgG4. According to this working hypothesis, the choice between these two routes is determined at the level of the germinal center activity.
authors.affiliation: Sanquin Research at CLB and Karl Landsteiner Laboratory, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. r.aalberse@sanquin.nl
authors.forename: Rob C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Aalberse
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G