Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Cross-reactivity00:42

Cross-reactivity

Overview
Allergic Reactions02:06

Allergic Reactions

Overview
Antibody Structure01:10

Antibody Structure

Overview
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...
Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity01:26

Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity

An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
B Cell Activation and Differentiation01:24

B Cell Activation and Differentiation

The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis01:30

Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction mediated by Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. When IgE binds to allergens, it triggers the release of mediators– histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins from mast cells and basophils. These mediators cause vasodilation, edema, and inflammation, leading to various symptoms.The primary allergens causing anaphylaxis include food items (e.g., peanuts, shellfish), drugs (e.g., penicillin, asparaginase, corticotropin, heparin),...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Correlates of cockroach nasal challenge responsiveness among sensitized urban children with asthma.

The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. Global·2026
Same author

Reclassification of GST Allergens Based on Their Cross-Reactivity in Two Divergent Cockroach Species.

Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology·2026
Same author

New Allergens Approved by the WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature Sub-Committee in 2021-2024 and Their Significance for Future Diagnostics, Regulation, and Research. An EAACI Task Force Report.

Allergy·2025
Same author

Human IgE monoclonal antibodies define two unusual epitopes trapping dog allergen Can f 1 in different conformations.

Protein science : a publication of the Protein Society·2025
Same author

Cockroach immunotherapy modulates dominant T-cell responses independent of allergen extract content.

The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology·2025
Same author

Pre-clinical allergenicity assessment of IgE epitope-targeted Der p 2 mutants demonstrate potential as hypoallergenic AIT candidates.

Frontiers in immunology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Removal and Replacement of Endogenous Ligands from Lipid-Bound Proteins and Allergens
09:09

Removal and Replacement of Endogenous Ligands from Lipid-Bound Proteins and Allergens

Published on: February 24, 2021

Relevant B cell epitopes in allergic disease.

Anna Pomés1

  • 1Indoor Biotechnologies, Inc., Charlottesville, Va., USA. apomes@inbio.com

International Archives of Allergy and Immunology
|November 27, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Understanding allergen structure reveals key binding sites (epitopes) for IgE antibodies. Visualizing conformational epitopes is crucial for designing effective immunotherapies against inhaled allergens.

More Related Videos

Application of Biochip Microfluidic Technology to Detect Serum Allergen-specific Immunoglobulin E (sIgE)
07:10

Application of Biochip Microfluidic Technology to Detect Serum Allergen-specific Immunoglobulin E (sIgE)

Published on: April 21, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Removal and Replacement of Endogenous Ligands from Lipid-Bound Proteins and Allergens
09:09

Removal and Replacement of Endogenous Ligands from Lipid-Bound Proteins and Allergens

Published on: February 24, 2021

Application of Biochip Microfluidic Technology to Detect Serum Allergen-specific Immunoglobulin E (sIgE)
07:10

Application of Biochip Microfluidic Technology to Detect Serum Allergen-specific Immunoglobulin E (sIgE)

Published on: April 21, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Structural Biology
  • Allergen Research

Background:

  • Allergen 3D structure dictates surface epitopes, which are targets for antibody binding.
  • Previous methods identified linear epitopes, primarily relevant for food allergens.
  • Conformational epitopes are key targets for IgE responses to inhaled allergens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To understand immune recognition of B cell-antigenic determinants on allergens.
  • To inform the design of recombinant allergens for immunotherapy.
  • To visualize conformational epitopes on allergens.

Main Methods:

  • Molecular cloning and expression of allergens.
  • X-ray crystallography.
  • Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques.

Main Results:

  • Identification of linear epitopes using synthetic peptides, fragments, or unfolded allergens.
  • Recognition that conformational epitopes are primary targets for inhaled allergens.
  • Visualization of conformational epitopes on allergens using advanced structural techniques.

Conclusions:

  • Knowledge of allergen structure and epitope interactions is vital for immunotherapy design.
  • Structural biology techniques enable visualization of conformational epitopes.
  • Understanding allergen-antibody interactions is key to managing allergic diseases.