Whether recombinant cholera toxin B subunit (rCTB) co-administered intranasally or subcutaneously with aluminium-non-adsorbed tetanus toxoid (nTT) can induce the production of tetanus toxoid (TT)-specific IgE antibodies in mice was investigated compared with aluminium-adsorbed tetanus toxoid (aTT) administered intranasally or subcutaneously. Mice immunized intranasally or subcutaneously with nT...

Measurement of allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) is a common practice in the investigation of allergy. It has not been possible to measure porcine IgE due to unavailability of anti-porcine IgE. This study was undertaken to purify and characterize porcine IgE from sera of allergic pigs, identify heterologous anti-IgE reactive with pig IgE and to use purified heavy (H) chain of porcine IgE...

BACKGROUND The interaction between IgE and allergen is a key event at the initiation of an allergic response, and its characteristics have substantial effects on the clinical manifestation. Despite this, the molecular details of the interaction between human IgE and the major birch allergen Bet v 1, one of the most potent tree allergens, still remain poorly investigated. OBJECTIVE To isolate ...

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by intense polyclonal production of autoantibodies and circulating immune complexes. Some reports have associated SLE with a Th2 immune response and allergy. In the present study 21 female patients with SLE were investigated for total IgE and IgE antibodies to dust house aeroallergens by an automated enzyme-linked fluores...

Although most patients with obstructive airways disease show some amelioration with long-term inhaled corticosteroid therapy, the extent of improvement may vary considerably between patients. Patients with mild to moderately severe obstructive airways disease (asthma and COPD) were selected if provocative concentration producing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (PC20) < or =...

Serum IgE concentrations estimated in 25 bone marrow transplant recipients during episodes of infection or graft versus host disease, or both, were raised not only in some patients with acute graft versus host disease but also in many patients with infection. Raised values were not seen in chronic graft versus host disease. The routine estimation of serum IgE in bone marrow transplant recipient...

Rabbit antiidiotypic IgG directed against IgG F(ab')2 anti-tetanus toxoid (TT) antibodies ("idiotype") elicited a Prausnitz-Kustner reaction in normal skin sites sensitized 48 h earlier with the serum of the idiotype donor that contained IgE anti-TT antibodies. The serum moiety that caused the sensitization was heat sensitive (56 degrees C, 1 h), and was specifically removed by passage over imm...

Background Treatment of Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (CIU) may be challenging, as patients can be refractory to various treatments. This may be due to an autoimmune mechanism in its pathogenesis. CIU has been shown to be associated with autoantibodies to IgE or IgE receptor and with thyroid autoimmunity [1,2]. Treatments targeting this autoimmune pathogenesis are now being used, such as intrave...

The antibody IgE plays a central role in allergic disease, functioning principally through two cell-surface receptors: FcℇRI and CD23. FcℇRI on mast cells and basophils mediates the immediate hypersensitivity response, whilst the interaction of IgE with CD23 on B cells regulates IgE production. Crystal structures of the lectin-like `head' domain of CD23 alone and bound to a subfragment of IgE c...