A beneficial role for immunoglobulin E in host defense against honeybee venom.

Abstract	Allergies are widely considered to be misdirected type 2 immune responses, in which immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies are produced against any of a broad range of seemingly harmless antigens. However, components of insect venoms also can sensitize individuals to develop severe IgE-associated allergic reactions, including fatal anaphylaxis, upon subsequent venom exposure. We found that mice injected with amounts of honeybee venom similar to that which could be delivered in one or two stings developed a specific type 2 immune response that increased their resistance to subsequent challenge with potentially lethal amounts of the venom. Our data indicate that IgE antibodies and the high affinity IgE receptor, FcεRI, were essential for such acquired resistance to honeybee venom. The evidence that IgE-dependent immune responses against venom can enhance survival in mice supports the hypothesis that IgE, which also contributes to allergic disorders, has an important function in protection of the host against noxious substances.
Authors	Thomas Marichal, Philipp Starkl, Laurent L Reber, Janet Kalesnikoff, Hans C Oettgen, Mindy Tsai, Martin Metz, Stephen J Galli
Journal	Immunity (Immunity) Vol. 39 Issue 5 Pg. 963-75 (Nov 14 2013) ISSN: 1097-4180 [Electronic] United States
PMID	24210352 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Copyright	Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Chemical References	Bee Venoms Epitopes Immunoglobulin G Receptors, IgE Viper Venoms Immunoglobulin E
Topics	Anaphylaxis (etiology, immunology, prevention & control) Animals Bee Venoms (administration & dosage, immunology, therapeutic use, toxicity) Desensitization, Immunologic Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic Epitopes Female Hypersensitivity (immunology) Immunization, Passive Immunoglobulin E (biosynthesis, immunology) Immunoglobulin G (biosynthesis, immunology) Mast Cells (immunology) Mice Mice, Inbred BALB C Mice, Inbred C57BL Mice, Transgenic Models, Immunological Receptors, IgE (immunology) Daboia Th2 Cells (immunology) Viper Venoms (immunology, toxicity)

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