User:Anthony Davis/Sandbox1 IgE
From Proteopedia
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Antibodies are also known as immunoglobulins (Igs). They are part of the Adaptive immune system. When a pathogen invades the body antibodies bind to the pathogen in order to neutralize it and mark it for destruction. The antibodies are grouped into five types IgA, IgD, IgM, IgG, and IgE. They each have specific functions for example IgE binds to allergens and triggers the release of histamine from mast cells and basophils. The basic stucture of an antibody is show in figure 1.
IgE elicits an immune response by binding to Fc receptors found on the surface of mast cells and basophils. This induces these cells to release histamine and initiate an inflammatory response. This is seen in people who suffer from allergies such as Hay fever. Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen and some of the symptoms are a runny nose, sneezing, teary eyes. More serious allergic reactions could result in anaphylaxis in which there is restriction of the respiratory pathways and possible cardiac arrest which could result in death.
Current research involves allergy drugs that will disrupt or interfere with the interaction between IgE and its Fcreceptor. The drug Omalizumab is one such drug that is in use today to help people with allergic asthma. It works by binding to IgE thus interfering with its ability to bind to its receptor and induce an immune response. A recent study has show an antibody (XmAb7195) to have five times more affinity to IgE than Omalizumab. Research pertaining to IgE will continue to be important in reagards to the treatment of allergic reactions and asthma.
