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British Medical Bulletin 56:908-924 (2000)
© 2000 The British Council

research-article

lgE isotype determination: {varepsilon}-germline gene transcription, DNA recombination and B-cell differentiation

Hannah J Gould*,, Rebecca L Beavil* and Donata Vercelli{dagger}

*The Randall Centre for Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Function, King's College London London, UK
{dagger}Respiratory Sciences Center, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center Tucson, Arizona, USA

Correspondence to:Prof. Hannah J, Gould, The Randall Centre for Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Function, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK

Abstract

Immunoglobulin class swithching is the process which determines whether a B-cell secretes antibodies of the lgM, lgG, lgA or lgE class (or isotype). IgE is the antibody that mediates the allergic response by sensitising mast cells to allergens at the mucosal barrier. Class switching proceeds by three successive steps, culminating in the synthesis and secretion of antibody: these are germline gene transcription, DNA recombination and B-cell differentiation. We review here the present state of knowledge concerning the mechanisms involved in each of these steps, with particular reference to IgE. Intervention in the mechanisms that specify the selection of lgE may offer a means to combat allergy.


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