IgE-facilitated antigen presentation: role in allergy and the influence of allergen immunotherapy.
IgE-facilitated allergen presentation (FAP) is an important pathogenic mechanism in allergic disease and represents a potential therapeutic target. Allergen immunotherapy is a highly effective therapy, particularly in patients with seasonal pollinosis who fail to respond to usual pharmacotherapy. Allergen immunotherapy induces "blocking" IgG antibodies that are detectable in serum and have been shown to inhibit IgE-FAP in vitro. This review summarizes the main components involved in IgE-FAP and the potential value of a validated functional assay of serum inhibitory antibodies for IgE-FAP for monitoring the clinical response to immunotherapy.
Wilcock
Louisa K
LK
Upper Respiratory Medicine, Imperial College, National Heart and Lung Institute, Dovehouse Street, London SW3 6LY, UK.
Francis
James N
JN
Durham
Stephen R
SR
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology*; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology*
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E