Abstract
Reaginic antibodies in hay fever patients belong to IgE. The immunoglobulin sensitizes basophilic granulocytes and mast cells from homologous species and mediates the release of chemical mediators which cause allergic symptoms. The sensitization is due to the binding of IgE to receptors on the target cells through the Fc portion of the molecules. High affinity of the molecules for the receptor is responsible for the biologic activity of IgE antibodies and for the persistence of sensitization with the antibodies. The initial step of the reaginic hypersensitivity reactions is bridging of cell-bound IgE antibody molecules by a multivalent antigen. Since IgE is firmly bound with receptors, cross-linkage of IgE molecules will cause a disturbance of membrane structure and/or interaction between receptor molecules at the cell membrane, which will activate membrane-associated enzymes. It appears that the activation of sequences of enzymes will lead to the release of chemical mediators from the cells.
In view of the role of IgE antibodies in allergic diseases such as hay fever, attempts were made to depress the IgE antibody response to allergen An experimental model in the mouse indicated that the generation of antigen-specific suppressor T cells is involved in the depression of IgE antibody formation by immunotherapy.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bach, M. K., Brashler, J. R.: On the nature of the presumed receptor for IgE on mast cells. II. Demonstration of the specific binding of IgE to cell-free particulate preparations from rat peritoneal mast cells. J. Immunol.111, 324 (1973)
Bach, M. K., Brashler, J. R.:In vitro andin vivo production of slow reacting substance in the rat upon treatment with calcium ionophores. J. Immunol.113, 2040 (1974)
Bennich, H., Johansson, S. G. O.: Studies on a new class of human immunoglobulins. II. In: Chemical and Physical Properties in Gamma Globulins, p. 199 (ed. J. Killander). New York: Wiley Interscience, 1968
Bennich, H., Dorrington, K.: Structure and conformation of immunoglobulin E. In: Biological Role of the Immunoglobulin E System, p. 19 (ed. K. Ishizaka and D. H. Dayton, Jr.). Bethesda, MD: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 1972
Bennich, H., Bahr-Lindström, H. Von.: Structures of immunoglobulin E. In: Progress in Immunology, Vol. 1, p. 49 (ed. Brent and Holborrow). Amsterdam: North Holland Publishing Comp., 1974
Conrad, D. H., Bazin, H., Sehon, A. H., Froese, A.: Binding parameters of the interaction between rat IgE and rat mast cell receptors. J. Immunol.114, 1688 (1975)
Conrad, D. H., Froese, A.: Characterization of the target cell receptor for IgE II. Polyacrylamide gel analysis of the surface IgE receptor from normal rat mast cells and from rat basophilic leukemia cells. J. Immunol.111, 319 (1976)
Ishizaka, K., Ishizaka, T., Hornbrook, M. M.: Physiocochemical properties of reaginic antibody. V. Correlation of reaginic activity withγE globulin antibody. J. Immunol.97, 840 (1966)
Ishizaka, K., Ishizaka, T., Hornbrook, M. M.: Allergen-binding activity ofγE,γG andγA antibodies in sera from atopic patients:In vitro measurements of reaginic antibody. J. Immunol.98, 490 (1967)
Ishizaka, K., Ishizaka, T.: Reversed type allergic skin reactions by anti-γE globulin antibodies in humans and monkeys. J. Immunol.100, 554 (1968)
Ishizaka, K., Ishizaka, T.: Induction of erythema-wheal reactions by soluble antigen-IgE antibody complexes in humans. J. Immunol.101, 68 (1968)
Ishizaka, K., Ishizaka, T.: Immune mechanisms of reversed type reaginic hypersensitivity. J. Immunol.103, 588 (1969)
Ishizaka, K., Ishizaka, T., Lee, E. H.: Biologic function of the Fc fragments of E myeloma protein. Immunochemistry7, 587 (1970)
Ishizaka, K., Tomioka, H., Ishizaka, T.: Mechanisms of passive sensitization. I. Presence of IgE and IgG molecules on human leukocytes. J. Immunol.105, 1459 (1970)
Ishizaka, K., Kishimoto, T.: Regulation of antibody responsein vitro. II. Formation of rabbit reaginic antibody. J. Immunol.109, 65 (1972)
Ishizaka, K., Ishizaka, T.: Role of IgE and IgG antibodies in reaginic hypersensitivity in the respiratory tract. In: Asthma Physiology, Immunopharmacology and Treatment, p. 55 (ed. K. F. Austen and L. M. Lichtenstein). New York: Academic Press, 1973
Ishizaka, K., Okudaira, H., King, T. P.: Immunogenic properties of modified antigen E. II. Ability of urea-denatured antigen andα-poly-peptide chain to prime T cells specific for antigen E. J. Immunol.114, 110 (1975)
Ishizaka, T., Ishizaka, K., Johansson, S. G. O., Bennich, H.: Histamine release from human leukocytes by anti-γE antibodies. J. Immunol.102, 884 (1969)
Ishizaka, T., Ishizaka, K., Orange, R. P., Austen, K. F.: The capacity of human immunoglobulin E to mediate the release of histamine and slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis from monkey lung. J. Immunol.104, 335 (1970)
Ishizaka, T., Ishizaka, K., Bennich, H., Johansson, S. G. O.: Biologic activities of aggregated immunoglobulin E. J. Immunol.104, 854 (1970)
Ishizaka, T., Tomioka, H., Ishizaka, K.: Degranulation of human basophil granulocytes by anti-γE antibody. J. Immunol.106, 705 (1971)
Ishizaka, T., Ishizaka, K., Tomioka, H.: Release of histamine and slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis by IgE-anti-IgE reactions on monkey mast cells. J. Immunol.108, 513 (1972)
Ishziaka, T., Bernado, R. de., Tomioka, H., Lichtenstein, L. M., Ishizaka, K.: Identification of basophil granulocytes as a site of allergic histamine release. J. Immunol.108, 1000 (1972)
Ishizaka, T., Soto, C., Ishizaka, K.: Mechanisms of passive sensitization. III. Number of IgE molecules and its receptor sites on human basophil granulocytes. J. Immunol.111, 500 (1973)
Ishizaka, T., Ishizaka, K.: Mechanisms of passive sensitization. IV. Dissociation of IgE molecules from basophil receptors at acid pH. J. Immunol.112, 781 (1974)
Ishizaka, T., Ishizaka, K.: Cell surface IgE on human basophil granulocytes. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci.25, 462 (1975)
Ishizaka, T., Urban, J. F., Jr., Ishizaka, K.: IgE formation in the rat following infection withNippostrongylus brasiliensis. I. Proliferation and differentiation of IgE-bearing cells. Cell. Immunol.22, 248 (1976)
Ishizaka, T., Chang, T. H., Taggart, M., Ishizaka, K.: Histamine release from rat mast cells by antibodies against rat basophilic leukemia cell membrane. J. Immunol.119, 1589 (1977)
Johansson, S. G. O.: Raised levels of a new immunoglobulin class (IgND) in asthma. Lancet1967/II, 951
Johansson, S. G. O., Melbin, T., Vahlquist, B.: Immunoglobulin levels in Ethiopian preschool children with special reference to high concentration of immunoglobulin (IgND), Lancet1968/I, 1118
Jakschik, B., Sullivan, T. J., Kulczycki, A., Jr., Parker, C. W.: Release of slow reacting substance from rat mast cells. Fed. Proc.36, 1328 (1977)
Kay, A. B., Austen, K. F.: The IgE-mediated release of an eosinophil leukocyte chemotactic factor from human lung. J. Immunol.107, 899 (1971)
Kishimoto, T., Ishizaka, K.: Regulation of antibody responsein vitro. IV. Heavy chain antigenic determinants on hapten-specific memory cells. J. Immunol.109, 1163 (1972)
Kishimoto, T., Ishizaka, K.: Regulation of antibody responsein vitro. VII. Enhancing soluble factors for IgG and IgE antibody responses. J. Immunol.111, 1194 (1973)
König, W., Ishizaka, K.: Association of receptors for mouse IgE with the plasma membrane of rat mast cells. J. Immunol.113, 1237 (1974)
Kulczycki, A., Jr., Metzger, H.: The interaction of IgE with rat basophilic leukemia cells. II. Quantitative aspects of the binding reaction. J. Exp. Med.140, 1676 (1974)
Kulczycki, A., Jr., McNearney, T. A., Parker, C. W.: The rat basophilic leukemia cell receptor for IgE. I. Characterization as a glycoprotein. J. Immunol.117, 661 (1976)
Levin, B. B., Redmond, A. P.: The nature of the antigen-antibody complexes initiating the specific wheal and flare reaction in sensitized man. J. Clin. Invest.47, 556 (1968)
Levine, B. B., Vaz, N. M.: Effect of combinations of inbred strain, antigen and antigen dose on immune responsiveness and reagin production in the mouse. A potential mouse model for immune aspects of human atopic allergy. Int. Arch. Allergy39, 156 (1970)
Lichtenstein, L. M., Osler, A. G.: Studies on the mechanisms of hypersensitivity phenomena. IX. Histamine release from human leukocytes by ragweed pollen antigen. J. Exp. Med.120, 507 (1964)
Newman, S. A., Rossi, G., Metzger, H.: Molecular weight and valence of the cell surface receptor for immunoglobulin E. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.74, 869 (1977)
Orange, R. P., Austen, W. G., Austen, K. F.: Immunological release of histamine and slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis from human being. I. Modulation by agents influencing cellular levels of cyclic 3′ 5′ adenosine monophosphate. J. Exp. Med.134, 136S (1971)
Siraganian, R. P., Hook, W. A., Levine, B. B.: Specificin vitro histamine release from basophils by bivalent haptens: Evidence for activation by simple bridging of membrane bound antibody. Immunochemistry12, 149 (1975)
Stanworth, D. R., Humphrey, J. H., Bennich, H., Johansson, S. G. O.: Inhibition of Prausnitz-Küstner reaction by proteolytic-cleavage fragments of a human myeloma protein of immunoglobulin class E. Lancet1968/II, 17
Stanworth, D. R., Housley, J., Bennich, H., Johansson, S. G. O.: Effect of reduction upon the PCA-blocking activity of immunoglobulin E. Immunochemistry7, 321 (1970)
Takatsu, K., Ishziaka, T., Ishizaka, K.: Biologic significance of disulfide bonds in human IgE molecules. J. Immunol.114, 1838 (1975)
Takatsu, K., Ishizaka, K., King, T. P.: Immunogenic properties of modified antigen E. III. Effect of repeated injections of modified antigen on immunocompetent cells specific for native antigen. J. Immunol.115, 1469 (1975)
Takatsu, K., Ishizaka, K.: Reaginic antibody formation in the mouse. VII. Induction of suppressor T cells for IgE and IgG antibody responses. J. Immunol.116, 1257 (1976)
Takatsu, K., Ishizaka, K.: Reaginic antibody formation in the mouse. VIII. Depression of the ongoing IgE antibody formation by suppressor T cells. J. Immunol.117, 1211 (1976)
Tomioka, H., Ishizaka, K.: Mechanisms of passive sensitization. II. Presence of receptors for IgE on monkey mast cells. J. Immunol.107, 971 (1971)
Urban, J. F., Jr., Ishizaka, T., Ishizaka, K.: IgE formation in the rat after infection withNippostrongylus brasiliensis. II. Proliferation of IgE-bearing cells in neonatally thymectomized animals. J. Immunol.118, 1982 (1977)
Vaz, E. M., Vaz, N. M., Levine, B. B.: Persistent formation of reagins in mice injected with low dose of ovalbumin. Immunology21, 11 (1971)
Waldmann, T. A.: Disorders of immunoglobulin metabolism. New Engl. J. Med.281, 1170 (1969)
Waldmann, T. A., Polman, S. H., Terry, W. D.: IgE levels and metabolism in immune deficiency diseases. In: Biological Role of the Immunoglobulin E Systems, p. 247 (ed. K. Ishizaka and D. H. Dayton). Bethesda, MD: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. 1972
Wide, L., Bennich, H., Johansson, S. G. O.: Diagnosis of allergy by anin vitro test for allergen antibodies. Lancet1967/II, 1105
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This work was supported by Research Grants AI-10060, AI-11202 from U. S. Public Health Service, PCM-74-00837 from National Science Foundation and a grant from The John A. Hartford Foundation. This is publication No. 279 from the O’Neill Laboratories at the Good Samaritan Hospital.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ishizaka, K., Ishizaka, T. Mechanisms of reaginic hypersensitivity and immunotherapy. Lung 155, 3–22 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02730676
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02730676