Abstract
During antigen-induced immune reactions mature B cells become activated and differentiate into plasma cells which produce antibodies of different isotypes. If mature B cells become activated by their specific antigen and T-helper cells, which also recognize the same antigen, they can alter their original antibody isotype and undergo class-switch recombination. If T-helper-2 cells secrete cytokines such as interleukin-4, class-switch recombination to IgE is induced. This recombination mechanism is due to an AID-dependent rearrangement of the gene segments coding for the constant regions of the antibody molecules, leaving the variable, antibody-binding region unaltered. Allergen-specific antibodies of the IgE isotype bind to granulocytes and mast cells and degranulate upon allergen encounter by releasing mediators such as histamine. Therefore, the expression of IgE antibodies is the key mechanism of IgE-triggered allergies (type I) and their pathology.
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