Autoimmunity, IgE and FcεRI-bearing cells

Abstract

Antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases (AAID) involve several isotypes of autoreactive antibodies. In a growing number of AAID, autoreactive IgE are present with a significant prevalence and are often associated with the presence of IgG anti-IgE and/or anti-FcεRIα (high affinity IgE receptor α chain). FcεRI-bearing cells, such as basophils or mast cells, are key players in some of these AAID. Recent advances in the pathophysiology of these diseases led to the passed or current development of anti-IgE strategies that showed very potent effects in some of them. The present review centralizes the information on the relevance of autoreactive IgE and FcεRI-bearing cells in the pathophysiology of different AAID and the ones where the anti-IgE therapeutic strategy shows or may show some benefits for the patients.