title: Carbohydrates as allergens.
abstract: Complex carbohydrates are effective inducers of Th2 responses, and carbohydrate antigens can stimulate the production of glycan-specific antibodies. In instances where the antigen exposure occurs through the skin, the resulting antibody production can contain IgE class antibody. The glycan-stimulated IgE may be non-specific but may also be antigen specific. This review focuses on the production of cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants, the recently identified IgE antibody response to a mammalian oligosaccharide epitope, galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal), as well as discusses practical implications of carbohydrates in allergy. In addition, the biological effects of carbohydrate antigens are reviewed in setting of receptors and host recognition.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Divisions of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and Gastroenterology, University of Virginia Health System, PO Box 801355, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA, scottcommins@virginia.edu.
authors.forename: Scott P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Commins
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D006031:Glycosylation; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D002241:Carbohydrates; D000939:Epitopes; D007073:Immunoglobulin E