IgE glycans promote IgG anti-IgE autoantibodies that facilitate IgE
serum clearance via CD23
Abstract
Background: IgE antibodies are involved in type-1
hypersensitivity. Cross-linking IgE bound to the high-affinity IgE
receptor, FceRI on effector cells with an allergen can cause
anaphylaxis. Recent studies have shown that IgE glycosylation
significantly impacts the ability of IgE to bind to its high-affinity
receptor FceRI and exert effector functions 1,2. We
have recently shown that immunization of mice with IgE in complex with
an allergen leads to a protective, glycan-dependent anti-IgE response
3. However, to what extent the glycans on IgE
determine the induction of those antibodies and how they facilitate
serum clearance is unclear. We investigated the role of glycan-specific
IgG anti-IgE autoantibodies in regulating serum IgE levels and
preventing systemic anaphylaxis by passive immunization.
Methods: Mice were immunized using glycosylated or
deglycosylated IgE-allergen-immune complexes (ICs) to induce anti-IgE
IgG antibodies. The anti-IgE IgG antibodies were purified and used for
passive immunization. Results: Glycosylated IgE-ICs induced a
significantly higher anti-IgE IgG response and more IgG secreting plasma
cells than deglycosylated IgE-ICs. Passive immunization of IgE
sensitized mice with purified anti-IgE IgG increased the clearance of
IgE and prevented systemic anaphylaxis upon allergen challenge. Anti-IgE
IgG purified from the serum of mice immunized with deglycosylated
IgE-ICs, led to a significantly reduced elimination and protection,
confirming that the IgE glycans themselves are the primary drivers of
the protectivity induced by the IgE-immune complexes.
Conclusion: IgE glycosylation is essential for a robust
anti-IgE IgG response and might be an important regulator of serum IgE
level.