CONSEQUENCES OF IGE CD23-MEDIATED ANTIGEN PRESENTATION IN ALLERGY/

Allergen-specific IgE antibodies are responsible for the generation of immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions. However, its described her e by Geert Mudde, Roy Bheekha and Carla Bruijnzeel-Koomen, IgE may als o be involved in the uptake and processing of allergens. Such IgE-medi ated antigen presentation may lend to a continuous (over)activation of the immune system due to high titers of IgE and the presence of large numbers of allergen-specific Th2 cells. In addition, it may be a caus e for the advance of disease from a 'single allergy' to 'multi-allergy ' syndrome.