The Immunoglobulin E–Allergen Interaction: A Target for Therapy of Type IAllergic 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) leadsin sensitized individuals through effector cell activation to the immediate induction of acascade of inflammatory reactions, the hallmark of type I allergy. Recently, the molecularand structural characterization of allergens, specific IgE antibodies and their epitopes hasmade rapid progress. Here we discuss active and passive strategies for therapy of type Iallergy, which are based on interfering with the IgE–allergen interaction.