The Immunoblot analysis

Allergies worldwide

The incidence of allergies is increasing worldwide. In Europe alone up to 15% of the population is thought to be afflicted.

Advances in allergy-specific laboratory tests are now indispensable tools for the diagnosis af allergies. It is necessary to test a patient’s blood serum whenever an allergic response or severe reaction is suspected. Patients show often a wide range of varying symptoms and sensitization patterns against multiple allergens.

Allergy detection with Immunoglobulin E

Class E immunoglobulins were first identified in 1964 and play an important role in triggering Type I allergic reactions.

After transforming into the so-called plasma cell, B-lymphocytes excrete antibodies of various classes which circulate in the blood and are responsible for immunity in the humours. The conversion of B-lymphocytes into the antibody-secreting plasma cells is regulated by helper and suppresser cells (a sub-class of the T-lymphocytes). If this regulation fails, a B-lymphocyte can also be converted by a normally harmless antigen.

The resulting plasma cell will then produce Immunoglobulin Class E antibodies in preference. These immunoglobulins migrate via the blood stream to the basophilc granulocytes and mast cells where they are bound to specific receptors via their Fc-region. If the organism has further contact with the specific allergen, then this migrates directly to the anchored IgE antibodies and links two neighbouring molecules with its epitopes via the antigen-binding fab region. This link formation liberates different vasoactive amines from the mast cells, histamine in particular, which together with other highly active mediators, can lead to the typical symptoms of a Type I allergic reaction such as urtication (wealing), urticaria (nettle rash), dermatitis, rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal mucosa), hay fever, asthma, and anaphylactic shock.