IGHE (immunoglobulin heavy constant epsilon): The gene that encodes the ε heavy chain constant region for the IgE antibody. This gene is critical for the production and function of IgE in the body. The IGHE gene provides instructions for making a part of an antibody (
immunoglobulin) called Immunoglobulin E, or IgE.[5]
IGHE is a type of functioning gene, with four
disulfide bonds, each heavy chain is bound to a light chain (kappa or lambda), the N terminus of the heavy chain is bound to a V segment.[6]
Alergies
Immunoglobulins also known as antibodies, are glycoprotein molecules produced by plasma cells (white blood cells[7]). They act as a critical part of the immune response by specifically recognizing and binding to particular antigens, such as bacteria or viruses, and aiding in their destruction.[8]Immunoglobulin E (IgE) are antibodies produced by the immune system.
Each type of IgE has specific "radar" for each type of allergen. That's why some people are only allergic to cat dander (they only have the IgE antibodies specific to cat dander); while others have allergic reactions to multiple allergens because they have many more types of IgE antibodies.[9]
IgE-mediated food allergies is when the immune system reacts abnormally when exposed to one or more specific foods such as milk, egg, wheat or nuts. All of these foods can trigger anaphylaxis (a severe, whole-body allergic reaction) in patients who are allergic. Individuals with this type of food allergy will react quickly — within a few minutes to a few hours. Immediate reactions are caused by an allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody that floats around in the blood stream. Another useful tool in diagnosing and managing food allergies is blood testing, called allergen-specific IgE testing. This test measures the level of antibody produced in the blood in response to a food allergen.[10]
Venkitaraman AR, Williams GT, Dariavach P, Neuberger MS (August 1991). "The B-cell antigen receptor of the five immunoglobulin classes". Nature. 352 (6338): 777–781.
Flanagan JG, Lefranc MP, Rabbitts TH (March 1984). "Mechanisms of divergence and convergence of the human immunoglobulin alpha 1 and alpha 2 constant region gene sequences". Cell. 36 (3): 681–688.
Hajoui O, Janani R, Tulic M, Joubert P, Ronis T, Hamid Q, et al. (September 2004). "Synthesis of IL-13 by human B lymphocytes: regulation and role in IgE production". The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 114 (3): 657–663.