Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Humanized Mediator Release Assay as a Read-Out for Allergen Potency
Published on: June 29, 2021
Immunological mechanisms of specific allergen immunotherapy
Carsten B Schmidt-Weber1, Kurt Blaser
1Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), Obere Str. 22, CH-7270 Davos, Switzerland. csweber@siaf.unizh.ch
Abstract:
Allergy is an immunological disorder, which is driven by uncontrolled allergen-activated T cell subsets, leading to immediate type hypersensitivity against otherwise harmless environmental allergens. These allergens are tolerated by healthy individuals as well as by patients, who successfully underwent allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT). The successful SIT is characterized by the induction of T cell unresponsiveness against the given allergen. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), which are installed or enhanced by SIT and govern the activity of potentially pro-allergic effector T cells, mediate this unresponsiveness. The current article reviews the mechanisms underlying the balance of these cell populations along with suppressive mechanisms of SIT, which may serve as future drug targets.
Related Concept Videos
Allergic Reactions
Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis
Allergic Drug Reactions
Antibody Structure
Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins (Ig), are essential players of the adaptive immune system. These antigen-binding proteins are produced by B cells and make up 20 percent of the total blood plasma by weight. In mammals, antibodies fall into five different classes, which each elicits a different biological response upon antigen binding.
The Y-Shaped Structure of Antibodies Consists of Four Polypeptide Chains
Antibodies consist of four polypeptide chains: two identical heavy...
Cross-reactivity
Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions

