Biomaterial Database

IgE-facilitated antigen presentation: role in allergy and the influence of allergen immunotherapy. 2006

Louisa K Wilcock, and James N Francis, and Stephen R Durham

Upper Respiratory Medicine, Imperial College, National Heart and Lung Institute, Dovehouse Street, London SW3 6LY, UK.

IgE-facilitated allergen presentation (FAP) is an important pathogenic mechanism in allergic disease and represents a potential therapeutic target. Allergen immunotherapy is a highly effective therapy, particularly in patients with seasonal pollinosis who fail to respond to usual pharmacotherapy. Allergen immunotherapy induces "blocking" IgG antibodies that are detectable in serum and have been shown to inhibit IgE-FAP in vitro. This review summarizes the main components involved in IgE-FAP and the potential value of a validated functional assay of serum inhibitory antibodies for IgE-FAP for monitoring the clinical response to immunotherapy.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006967	Hypersensitivity	Altered reactivity to an antigen, which can result in pathologic reactions upon subsequent exposure to that particular antigen.	Allergy,Allergic Reaction,Allergic Reactions,Allergies,Hypersensitivities,Reaction, Allergic,Reactions, Allergic
D007073	Immunoglobulin E	An immunoglobulin associated with MAST CELLS. Overexpression has been associated with allergic hypersensitivity (HYPERSENSITIVITY, IMMEDIATE).	IgE
D003888	Desensitization, Immunologic	Immunosuppression by the administration of increasing doses of antigen. Though the exact mechanism is not clear, the therapy results in an increase in serum levels of allergen-specific IMMUNOGLOBULIN G, suppression of specific IgE, and an increase in suppressor T-cell activity.	Allergen Immunotherapy,Allergy Shots,Hyposensitization Therapy,Immunotherapy, Allergen,Venom Immunotherapy,Immunologic Desensitization,Therapy, Hyposensitization,Allergen Immunotherapies,Allergy Shot,Desensitizations, Immunologic,Hyposensitization Therapies,Immunologic Desensitizations,Immunotherapy, Venom,Shot, Allergy,Venom Immunotherapies
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000485	Allergens	Antigen-type substances that produce immediate hypersensitivity (HYPERSENSITIVITY, IMMEDIATE).	Allergen
D017951	Antigen Presentation	The process by which antigen is presented to lymphocytes in a form they can recognize. This is performed by antigen presenting cells (APCs). Some antigens require processing before they can be recognized. Antigen processing consists of ingestion and partial digestion of the antigen by the APC, followed by presentation of fragments on the cell surface. (From Rosen et al., Dictionary of Immunology, 1989)	Antigen Processing,Antigen Presentations,Antigen Processings