Allergy: electron microscopy helps to reveal the molecular mechanism of anaphylaxis

February 26, 2020 / BIOON / -- according to a recent study, scientists have revealed the molecular structure of IgE antibody, the key molecule of allergic diseases This scientific breakthrough can provide important insights into the basic mechanism of anaphylaxis and may pave the way for the development of more effective antiallergic therapies The results of the study were published recently in the journal alliance (image source: www Pixabay Com) antibody is the basic molecule of human immune system Different types of antibodies in human have common characteristics, including the ability to bind to potentially harmful antigens and to induce the correct response of the immune system The team of researchers from Aarhus, Denmark and Marburg, Germany, used EM microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering to analyze the three-dimensional structure of IgE Their results surprised the scientists concerned "Our results show for the first time that IgE antibody is a highly rigid molecule with a certain antigen binding structure, which is different from the characteristics of other antibodies we know." Article author rasmus K Jensen explains The researchers also analyzed the effects of therapeutic antibodies currently tested in clinical trials on the structure and function of IgE molecules This therapeutic antibody binds to IgE and prevents allergic reactions "Our results reveal the structural changes of IgE after neutralization reaction with its corresponding antibody It also gives us a better understanding of how IgE recognizes allergens and two IgE receptors on the surface of our immune cells, "explained Edzard spillner, associate professor Host will produce a large number of IgE molecules against external allergens after exposure These IGES circulate in the blood and affect downstream immune cells By releasing a large number of cytokines and histamines, it can cause an immediate allergic reaction in the body In this study, the researchers used different recombinant IgE molecules they produced in the laboratory These IgE molecules specifically recognize allergens of house dust mites and glycosyl structures found on allergens Allergic diseases affect the lives of more than 1 billion people around the world, and its prevalence is expected to reach 4 billion by 2050 The rise in the prevalence and socio-economic impact of allergic diseases, especially in urbanized areas and in the environment related globalized world, and changes in lifestyles In addition to the painful symptoms of patients, allergic diseases also bring high costs to the health care system Current treatments cannot control all types of allergies, but researchers now hope their scientific results will pave the way for the development of new allergy drugs Source of information: Electric microcopy allows scientists to understand the molecular trigger of effective reactions original source: rasmus K Jensen et al, structure of exact IgE and the mechanism of livelizumab reviewed by electronic microcopy, ally (2020) Doi: 10.1111/all.14222