Regulation of the IgE antibody response

Extensive studies in the past 10 years revealed general mechanism of IgE antibody response. It is now clear that precursors of IgE-forming cells bear IgE determinants on their surface, and these cells are derived from virgin B cells which had IgM determinants on their surface. Expression of IgE on either IgM-bearing virgin B cells or IgM-IgD double-bearing B cells does not require the participation of T cells or antigen, and this process occurs in fetal or early neonatal life. Unique features of IgE-bearing B cells are twofold; one is that the majority of IgE-bearing cells possess both μ- and δ-determinants. It was also found that the population of IgE-bearing cells is relatively large. Once IgE is expressed on the cell surface, these B cells are committed for IgE formation after differentiation. It was also found that the differentiation of IgE-bearing cells to IgE-forming cells requires helper T cells and this process is regulated by suppressor T cells.