Immunoglobulin E

Shortened to 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

↑ 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.
↑ 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}

[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.

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