The targets of IgE: Allergen-associated and tumor-associated molecular patterns

Abstract

The most studied targets of IgE immunoglobulins are termed allergens and mostly represent protein antigens from plant or animal origin. However, it has been revealed that also pathogens and self-antigens can be recognized by IgE. Thus, besides a detrimental role in allergy, IgE may exert defense and surveillance functions. Here, we discuss the display of rigid epitope patterns as a common key feature of antigens leading to both formation of high-affinity IgE antibodies by B lymphocytes and IgE-mediated triggering of effector cells. In analogy to the principle of pathogen-associated patterns as danger signals, we introduce here the terms allergen-associated molecular patterns (AAMPs) for the repetitive epitopes exposed by allergens and tumor-associated molecular patterns (TAMPs) in settings when molecular epitope patterns are displayed through overexpressed tumor antigens. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010. All rights reserved.