The immunoglobulin E-allergen interaction: a target for therapy of type I allergic diseases.
Valenta R., Almo S., Ball T., Dolecek C., Steinberger P., Laffer S., Eibensteiner P., Flicker S., Vrtala S., Spitzauer S., Valent P., Denepoux S., Kraft D., Banchereau J., Lebecque S.
The interaction of immunoglobulin E and otherwise harmless antigens (allergens) leads in sensitized individuals through effector cell activation to the immediate induction of a cascade of inflammatory reactions, the hallmark of type I allergy. Recently, the molecular and structural characterization of allergens, specific IgE antibodies and their epitopes has made rapid progress. Here we discuss active and passive strategies for therapy of type I allergy, which are based on interfering with the IgE-allergen interaction.