CD23+IgG1+ memory B cells are poised to switch to pathogenic IgE production in food allergy
Food allergies are a major health threat, and are caused by a particular class of antibody called IgE. This antibody triggers allergic symptoms when it binds to its target. If that target is food particles, such as peanuts, this triggers food allergies.
IgE is mysterious, and difficult to find in the blood. Moreover, IgE-producing B cells are rare and are short lived. How then, do some people have lifelong allergies? One hypothesis is that a different type of B cell acts as long-lived intermediate, and then differentiates into IgE-producing B cells. If true, these intermediate B cells could be a key target for treating and hopefully curing food allergies.
In a collaboration led by Maria Lafaille’s lab at Mount Sinai, we identified this key intermediate, characterized by expression of proteins CD23, CD27, and IgG1. This work was published in Science Translational Medicine alongside work led by researchers at McMaster University, which also identified and characterized this B cell population in allergic conditions.
Our paper: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.adi0673
Their paper: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.adi0944
Commentary: https://www.science.org/toc/stm/16/733
Check out the cover (submitted by Joshua Koenig and Claud Spadafora)! https://www.science.org/toc/stm/16/733