The concept of allergen-associated molecular patterns (AAMP).
For proteins to become allergenic, they need to acquire features enabling them to induce B cell activation and isotype switch to IgE production. Crosslinking of the B-cell receptor (BCR) is the most efficient way to productively activate B-cells. The IgE-crosslinking capability of allergens is equally crucial in the effector phase of immediate type allergy. Antigens, which acquire enhanced crosslinking capacity by oligomerization, aggregation, or the expression of repetitive epitopes may therefore gain allergenic potency. The accumulated evidence for repetitive epitope display by allergens suggests the existence of allergen-associated molecular patterns.
Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University Vienna and University Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: isabella.pali@meduniwien.ac.at.
Isabella
I
Pali-Schöll
Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University Vienna and University Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; Inst of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Immunology, Medical University Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: erika.jensen-jarolim@meduniwien.ac.at.
Erika
E
Jensen-Jarolim
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D000069452:Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern Molecules / Q000276:immunology*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D011940:Receptor Aggregation; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000378:metabolism*
D000485:Allergens; D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte; D000069452:Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern Molecules; D010940:Plant Proteins; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell; D007073:Immunoglobulin E