IgE (summary and causes of increased and reduced levels)
IgE is found mainly in submucosal tissues where it is bound to mast cells and basophils.
The bridging of IgE molecules by antigen stimulates mast cell degranulation, and it is through this mechanism that IgE plays a role in the pathogenesis of immediate allergic anaphylactic reactions.
Causes of increased IgE levels include:
- atopic diseases e.g. asthma, hay fever, eczema
- parasitic diseases e.g. ascariasis, visceral larva migrans, hookworm disease, Echnococcus infection, schistosomiasis
- IgE multiple myeloma*
Causes of reduced IgE levels include:
- heriditary deficiencies
- acquired deficiencies
- ataxia-telangiectasia
- non-IgE myeloma
*IgE type MM was first described in 1967, with an estimated prevalence of<0.1% of all plasma cell neoplasms (1)
- similar epidemiology and clinical presentation are seen in patients with IgE type MM as compared with patients with other myelomas
- anaemia, Bence-Jones proteinuria, and progression to secondary plasma cell leukemia have been seen in higher frequency in IgE type MM patients
- is associated with an aggressive clinical course and consequentially dismal prognosis
Reference:
- Kehl N et al. IgE type multiple myeloma exhibits hypermutated phenotype and tumor reactive T cells. Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer. 2022;10:e005815.
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