The discovery of IgE.
In 1919, the search began for the factor, later called reagin, that could mediate an allergy, such as allergic asthma, in sera of allergic subjects. In 1967, the fifth class of immunoglobulins, IgE, was discovered and found to be able to carry reagin activity. This discovery has had immense importance for the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of allergic diseases.
Department of Medicine, Immunology and Allergy Unit, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: s.g.o.johansson@ki.se.
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Johansson
D000486:Allergy and Immunology / Q000266:history; D000818:Animals; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology
D007073:Immunoglobulin E
Allergy; immunoglobulin; inflammation; mast cell; reagin; sensitization