Targeting the extracellular membrane-proximal domain of membrane-bound IgE by passive immunization blocks IgE synthesis in vivo.

ABSTRACT: The classical allergic reaction starts seconds or minutes after Ag contact and is committed by Abs produced by a special subset of B lymphocytes. These Abs belong to the IgE subclass and are responsible for Type I hyperreactivity reactions. Treatment of allergic diseases with humanized anti-IgE Abs leads primarily to a decrease of serum IgE levels. As a consequence, the number of high-affinity IgE receptors on mast cells and basophils decreases, leading to a lower excitability of the effector cells. The biological mechanism behind anti-IgE therapy remains partly speculative; however, it is likely that these Abs also interact with membrane IgE (mIgE) on B cells and possibly interfere with IgE production. In the present work, we raised a mouse mAb directed exclusively against the extracellul

SUBMITTER: Feichtner S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2959155 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature