Difference between revisions of "Immunoglobulin E"

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<p>Commonly referred to as ''''''IgE</p>
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<p>Commonly referred to as '''''IgE</p>
 
[[Image:LH IgE.png|thumb|150px|right|'''IgE''']]
 
[[Image:LH IgE.png|thumb|150px|right|'''IgE''']]
 
[[Image:IgE.jpg|thumb|right|150px|IgE - B. Catchpole, RVC 2008]]
 
[[Image:IgE.jpg|thumb|right|150px|IgE - B. Catchpole, RVC 2008]]

Revision as of 17:06, 22 September 2010


Commonly referred to as IgE

IgE
IgE - B. Catchpole, RVC 2008

Unlike IgM, IgG and IgA, IgE does not function as a soluble antibody and is found in low levels in blood plasma. Like IgA it is produced by plasma cells and is mainly localised to mucosal surfaces.

Structure

IgE is Y-shaped with heavy chain type ε, and exists as a monomer.

Note: Janeway [1] states that IgE has no hinge region whereas Tizard [2] indicates that it does.

Production

It is produced when Th2 cells stimulate CD40 and produce Il-4 and Il-13 which causes B cell differentiation to plasma cells and class switching to IgE production.

Function

  • IgE triggers acute inflammation by binding to the FCεRI receptors on mast cells in the lamina propria and basophils, causing degranulation
  • It is involved in type I hypersensitivity reactions
  • Cross-linking of IgE molecules by antigen triggers mast cell degranulation and an inflammatory response

  • IgE has considerable involvement in producing immunity to parasitic worms and particularly nematode parasites
    • It may mediate their expulsion or killing via mast cell activity, cytotoxic eosinophils, macrophages, and so on

References

  1. Janeway, C.A., Travers, P., Walport, M. and Shlomchik, M.J. (2005) Immunobiology: The immune system in health and disease. 6th ed. New York: Garland Science Publishing. pp.156-157.
  2. Tizard, I.R. (2004) Veterinary Immunology: An Introduction. 7th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders. pp.148-149.



Immunoglobulins: Immunoglobulin A, Immunoglobulin D, Immunoglobulin E, Immunoglobulin G & Immunoglobulin M