Biology and dynamics of B cells in the context of IgE-mediated food allergy.

Abstract

An increasing number of people suffer from IgE-mediated food allergies. The immunological mechanisms that cause IgE-mediated food allergy have been extensively studied. B cells play a key role in the development of IgE-mediated food allergies through the production of allergen-specific antibodies. While this particular function of B cells has been known for many years, we still do not fully understand the mechanisms that regulate the induction and maintenance of allergen-specific IgE production. It is still not fully understood where in the body IgE class switch recombination of food allergen-specific B cells occurs, and what processes are involved in the immunological memory of allergen-specific IgE responses. B cells can also contribute to the regulation of allergen-specific immune responses through other mechanisms such as antigen presentation and cytokine production. Recent technological advances have enabled highly detailed analysis of small subsets of B cells down to the single-cell level. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the biology of B cells in relation to IgE-mediated food allergies.