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Research Focus: Regulation of Immune Responses by IgE Antibodies
Allergic individuals produce large amounts of IgE antibodies. These circulate in the blood and are present in the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, skin and other organs where they are bound to IgE receptors on mast cells. Some IgE antibodies specifically recognize allergens, inluding airborne particles (pollens, animal danders, etc.), foods, insect venoms and drugs. The presence of such allergen-specific IgE's can be determinced by skin testing or blood tests.
Allergic reactions are triggered when mast cell-bound IgE encounters specific allergens, leading to receptor aggregation, mast cell activation and the release of mediators, inlcuding histamine, prostoglandins, leukotrienes and cytokines. The antigen-driven cross-linking of mast cell-bound IgE is the inciting event in acute asthma attacks or anaphylaxis.
We and others have recently observed that IgE antibodies can also exert antigen-independent effects. For instance, IgE, even in the absence of allergen, enchances cell surface levels of IgE receptors, mast cell survival and cytokine production. Thus high levels of IgE in allergic individuals may not only drive acute allergic reactions but also regulate many other aspects of the immune response. We aim to define the biological effects of monomeric IgE and understand their implications for allergic pathogenesis.
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