Abstract

The spreading epidemic of allergies and asthma has heightened interest in IgE, the central player in the allergic response. The activity of IgE is associated with a network of proteins; prominent among these are its two principal receptors, FcRI (high-affinity Fc receptor for IgE) and CD23, as well as galectin-3 and several co-receptors for CD23, notably CD21 and various integrins. Here, we review recent progress in uncovering the structures of these proteins and their complexes, and in our understanding of how IgE exerts its effects and how its expression is regulated. The information that has emerged suggests new therapeutic directions for combating allergic disease.

Author affiliations

1. Randall Division of Cell & Molecular Biophysics, and MRC & Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, King's College London, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK.
   Email: hannah.gould@kcl.ac.uk; Email: brian.sutton@kcl.ac.uk

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