IgE
Immunoglobulin E (IgE), which originally evolved as an important component of adaptive immune responses to helminthic parasites, has in our times become infamous for its role as a troublesome instigator of allergic reactions - Oliver T. Burton and Hans C. Oettgen
HWN Suggests
Human IgE producing B cells have a unique transcriptional program and generate high affinity, allergen-specific antibodies
IgE antibodies provide defense against helminth infections, but can also cause life-threatening allergic reactions. Despite their importance to human health, these antibodies and the cells that produce them remain enigmatic due to their scarcity in humans; much of our knowledge of their properties is derived from model organisms.
Articles of Interest
Anti-IgE therapy for IgE-mediated allergic diseases: from neutralizing IgE antibodies to eliminating IgE+ B cells
Allergic diseases are inflammatory disorders that involve many types of cells and factors, including allergens, immunoglobulin (Ig)E, mast cells, basophils, cytokines and soluble mediators. Among them, IgE plays a vital role in the development of acute allergic reactions and chronic inflammatory allergic diseases, making its control particularly important in the treatment of IgE-mediated allergic diseases.
Beyond immediate hypersensitivity: evolving roles for IgE antibodies in immune homeostasis and allergic diseases
IgE is the least abundant antibody class in circulation, and consequently, was not discovered until decades after IgG, IgM, IgD, and IgA.
Hyper IgE Syndrome
HIES is a rare primary immunodeficiency characterized by recurrent eczema, skin abscesses, lung infections, eosinophilia and high serum levels of IgE. Two form of HIES have been described, including an autosomal dominant (AD, or type 1) and an autosomal recessive (AR, or type 2) form.
IgE and IgG Antibodies as Regulators of Mast Cell and Basophil Functions in Food Allergy
Food allergies are hypersensitivity reactions that can be mediated by a wide range of humoral and cellular mechanisms. IgE-mediated food allergy is the most common and will be the focus of this review.
IgE Antibodies: From Structure to Function and Clinical Translation
Immunoglobulin E (IgE), named in 1968, was the last of the five classes of human antibodies to be discovered, and today is commonly associated with the various manifestations of allergic disease.
The Role of IgE and IgG in Allergy Testing
While our understanding of allergy continues to grow, there is still much to be learned and many questions remain unanswered. There is increasing evidence to explain why patients with a high level of allergen-specific IgE may not exhibit symptoms of allergy.
Total IgE
Unlike an IgG test (known as a food sensitivity test), which only measures the common antibody immunoglobulin G and doesn't accurately predict specific food allergies, an IgE test focuses on the class of antibody that's directly associated with allergic reactions — giving you much more specific results when it comes to identifying allergic triggers.
