The discovery of immunoglobulin E (IgE) was a breakthrough in the field of Allergy and Immunology. Our understanding of mechanisms of allergic reactions and the role of IgE in these disorders has paralleled to the discovery of treatment modalities for patients with allergy. Apart from allergic diseases, IgE is involved in pathogenesis of other disorders. Much controversy exists about the control of total IgE (tIgE) levels and allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) profiles in allergic individuals. This review aims at giving a comprehensive overview of IgE molecule and discussing the issues related to its importance in clinical setting.
Allergy and Immunology ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins

China ; epidemiology ; Hepatitis E ; epidemiology ; Hepatitis E virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E

In order to study the relationship between serum specific IgE (sIgE) and allergen skin test, allergen skin tests and detections of sIgE in 220 allergic patients of Wuhan area were analyzed. The coherent rate of the two methods was beyond 70% (P < 0.01). It was concluded that the in vitro and in vivo detection methods of allergens have a high coherence and can be used as the effective ways to diagnose the allergic diseases in clinical practice.
Allergens ; China ; Dermatophagoides farinae/immunology ; Immunoglobulin E/*blood ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/*immunology ; Skin Tests ; Urticaria/*immunology

OBJECTIVETo observe anti-HEV IgG response to vaccination of recombinant antigen fragments and evaluate its protection from Hepatitis E Virus infection in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

METHODSTwelve monkeys were divided into three groups and immunized respectively with three different recombinant antigens: namely Ag1 (carboxyl terminal 431 amino acids of ORF2), Ag2 (128aa fragment at the carboxyl terminal of ORF2), and Ag3 (full length ORF3 ligated with two ORF2 fragments encoded by 6743-7126nt and 6287-6404nt). The monkeys were challenged intravenously with fecal suspension from experimentally infected rhesus monkeys, and the other three monkeys served as the placebo group for challenge with HEV. The dynamic changes of the levels of ALT and anti-HEV IgG were examined. Pathological changes of liver tissue were observed by light microscope. Excretion of virus was detected by RT-nPCR.

RESULTSHepatic histopathology of two monkeys in the placebo group was consistent with acute viral hepatitis, and ALT was elevated 3-4 weeks after inoculated with virus, up to 10-20 times higher than normal level. The liver tissue of monkeys immunized with antigen kept normal, ALT in several monkeys elevated mildly, and anti-HEV IgG conversation occurred at 1-2 weeks after vaccination, with the titer reaching 1:12,800. The virus RNA could be detected by RT-nPCR from days 7 to 50 in monkeys of control group, and from days 7 to 21 in vaccinated monkeys after challenged with virus.

CONCLUSIONSThe recombinant antigens could induce the production of anti-HEV IgG, which protected rhesus monkeys from acute Hepatitis symptoms related to HEV infection.

Animals ; Antigens, Viral ; immunology ; Hepatitis E ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis E virus ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin G ; immunology ; Macaca mulatta ; RNA, Viral ; blood ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology ; Vaccination ; Viral Hepatitis Vaccines ; immunology

A 56-year-old man who had suffered from seasonal rhinitis in spring and autumn experienced recurrent generalized urticaria and an oral burning sensation after eating several cooked herbs for 3 months. A skin-prick test showed positive responses to various pollens, celery, Chinese bellflower, and arrowroot. The Chinese bellflower-specific IgE ELISA OD value was 1.547. Oral challenge with unprocessed raw Chinese bellflower root provoked oral burning sensation, eyelid swelling, generalized urticaria, and hypotension. In an ELISA inhibition test, IgE binding to Chinese bellflower was significantly inhibited by Chinese bellflower, mugwort, and birch pollen extract. SDS-PAGE and immunoblot assay revealed nine IgE-binding components, and common protein bands were detected in the range of 40~55 kDa (Chinese bellflower-mugwort-birch) and 14 kDa (Chinese bellflower-birch). Chinese bellflower root can cause anaphylaxis and may have cross-reactivity with mugwort and birch.
Anaphylaxis/*etiology ; Artemisia/*immunology ; Betula/*immunology ; Cross Reactions ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E/*immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Platycodon/*immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the allergens of various allergic diseases in children.

METHODSSerum levels of Fx5E, Phadiatop and specific IgE were measured by the UniCAP100 System in 3 504 children with allergic diseases.

RESULTSThe positive rate of aeroallergens was obviously higher than that of food allergens in children with allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, asthma and papular urticaria. In contrast, the positive rate of food allergens was obviously higher than that of aeroallergens in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura and digestive diseases. The serum specific IgE level of aeroallergens was higher than that of food allergens. The dust and mite specific IgE levels reached to grade 6, while the food allergen specific IgE levels were lower than grade 3.

CONCLUSIONSAaeroallergens or food allergens vary remarkably in different allergic diseases in children. The level of specific IgE of aeroallergens is higher than that of food allergens.

Adolescent ; Allergens ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Infant ; Male

OBJECTIVETo evaluate two commercial anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) IgM kits used for differential diagnosis of acute enteric viral hepatitis.

METHODSThe kit for IgM capture assay, was produced with a recombinant HEV structural protein protecting primates against experimental infection by different HEV genotypes, while the other kit for indirect ELISA was produced with recombinant structural proteins from different HEV genotypes. The serum specimens were taken from 241 cases with a confirmed or presumptive diagnosis of hepatitis A and 74 cases with a confirmed or presumptive diagnosis of hepatitis E.

RESULTSThe sensitivity and specificity of the IgM capture assay kit were 97% and 100%, respectively, and the corresponding values for the other kit were 70% and 78%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe IgM capture assay kit has higher sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing acute enteric viral hepatitis E.

Diagnosis, Differential ; Hepatitis E ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; immunology ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Sensitivity and Specificity

In the present work, we have examined the effect of PAF, removal of epithelium, the mechanism of desensitization, and the substances that increases the level of intracellular c-AMP on the differences of mediator release from superfused tracheal strips after passive sensitization with IgG1 versus IgE Ab. In the passive sensitized tracheal tissues, the effect of PAF and the mechanism of desensitization have been examined by PAF antagonist, CV 3988 and DFP, respectively. The epithelium was stripped from one-half of each trachea by mechanical means. Both superfused tracheal tissues were challenged with Ox-Ag. Inhibitors of mediator release were added into a superfused buffer. Hist released was determined by spectrophotofluorometer, and LT by radioimmunoassay. PAF known to mediate the allergic reaction was not released by Ag after both Ab sensitization. Epithelium removal resulted in similar contraction, Hist and LT release after IgG1 Ab activation, but in the IgE Ab activation, epithelium removal resulted in smaller contraction and Hist release. In the L-cysteine and indomethacin pretreatment after two Ab sensitization, epithelium removal decreased the release of Hist and LT. The compound 48/80 pre-challenge and epithelium removal resulted in the increase of Hist release, but in the decrease of LT release after IgG1 or IgE sensitization. The Amount of LT released by Ag after compound 48/80 pre-challenge increased in the absence or presence of epithelium after both Ab sensitization. Mediator release from tissues sensitized with both Abs was not changed by DFP. The responses of inhibitors to prevent the mediator release were more effective on the IgE Ab than on the IgG1 Ab sensitization. These studies suggest that the tracheal epithelium can act to inhibit immune- and non-immune-induced airway responses. Non-immunological responses may in part reflect the role of epithelium as a diffusion barrier and modulator of mediator release. These data also suggest that immunological responses are related to the localization and functional heterogeneity of tissue mast cells.
Animal ; Epithelium/immunology/physiology ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; *Histamine Release ; *Immunization ; Immunoglobulin E/*immunology ; Immunoglobulin G/*immunology ; Leukotrienes/metabolism ; Mast Cells/immunology ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Trachea/*immunology/physiology

To confirm local production of IgE, and evaluate role of immunoglobulins on eosinophil activation in nasal polyp (NP) tissue, we measured IgG, IgA, secretory IgA(sIgA), total (tIgE) and specific IgE (sIgE) to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus(DP) by ELISA in NP tissue homogenates from 51 subjects. They were classified according to skin reactivity to DP: group I, 15 highly atopic subjects; group II, 18 weakly atopic subjects; and group III, 18 non-atopic subjects. Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) level was measured by CAP system. Highest level of DP-sIgE was noted in group I, followed by group II and III (p<0.05). Nine (60%) of group I and 4 (22%) of group II subjects had detectable level of DP-sIgE with no significant differences in IgA, sIgA, and IgG. All of NP tissue had eosinophilic infiltration with no significant difference in activated eosinophil count or ECP level among 3 groups. A significant correlation was noted between EG2+ cell count and tIgE (r=0.55, p<0.05), and DP-sIgE level (r=0.60, p<0.05). A significant correlation was also noted between ECP and IgG (r=0.51, p<0.05) and DP-sIgE level (r=0.47, p<0.05) with no significant correlation with IgA or sIgA. These results suggest that DP-sIgE was detectable in NP tissue from weakly atopic subjects as well as highly atopic subjects. IgG and sIgE may have potential roles in eosinophil degranulation in NP tissue.
Blood Proteins/analysis ; Cell Degranulation/immunology ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus/immunology ; Eosinophil Granule Proteins ; Eosinophils/immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A/analysis/immunology ; Immunoglobulin E/analysis/immunology ; Immunoglobulin G/analysis/immunology ; Immunoglobulins/analysis/*immunology ; Nasal Polyps/*immunology/pathology ; *Ribonucleases

OBJECTIVETo identify the IgE-binding epitopes in the allergen Der p 1 of main house dust mites, which can be recognized by the specific IgE in the sera from allergic individuals, and obtain a hypoallergen derived from the T-B epitope fused peptide for potential use in specific immunotherapy (SIT).

METHODSThirty-one peptides containing 15 amino acids each, which covered the full 222 amino acids of Der p 1 protein sequence, were synthesized on the cellulous membrane by solid-phase peptide (SPOTs) synthesis, with 8 overlapping amino acids between every two neighboring peptides. The membrane bearing the spots of the synthesized peptides were incubated with the allergic serum pools consisting of the sera from 5 allergic individuals. The membrane was then probed with HRP-conjugated anti-human IgE, followed by enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) for visualization and gray scale analysis of the positive peptide spots.

RESULTSThree strong IgE-binding epitopes were identified in the amino acid sequence of Der p 1 molecule, namely Ep1 (amino acids 85-99), Ep2 (amino acids 106-120) and Ep3 (amino acids 190-204).

CONCLUSIONThe 3 IgE-binding epitopes (B cell epitopes) identified in Der p 1 confirm the presence of linear epitopes in Der p 1, suggesting the possibility of constructing T/B epitope-fused hypoallergens.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; immunology ; Arthropod Proteins ; immunology ; Binding Sites, Antibody ; Cysteine Endopeptidases ; immunology ; Epitopes ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin E ; immunology ; Lymphokines ; immunology ; Mites ; immunology ; Molecular Sequence Data