CD23 - STRUCTURE, FUNCTIONS AND PROSPECT IN ALLERGY

CD23, the low-affinity receptor for IgE, is a surface cell marker and surface CD23 is cleaved into soluble fragments by an autocatalytic mec hanism. cDNA clone encoding for CD23 has been isolated and structural studies realized. CD23 is expressed by B and T lymphocytes and by othe r cells including tumor cells. IL4 and IgE are the most potent inducer of CD23 expression. CD23 has multiple functions: B cell growth and di fferentiation, capacity to present antigen, cellular mobility, inflamm ation ... The serum sCD23 level is often increased in allergic patient s.