IgE+ plasmablasts predict the onset of clinical allergy

Front Immunol. 2023 Feb 2:14:1104609. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1104609. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Introduction: IgE+ plasmablasts develop following allergen exposure and B cell activation. They secrete IgE and therefore are directly linked to maintain the mechanisms of IgE-mediated allergies. Here, we show that the presence of IgE+ plasmablasts in peripheral blood not only coincides with clinical allergy, but also predicts the upcoming development of clinical disease.

Methods: Using an equine model of naturally occurring allergy, we compared the timing of allergen exposure, arrival of IgE+ plasmablasts in peripheral blood, and onset of clinical disease.

Results: We found that IgE+ plasmablasts predict the development of clinical allergy by at least 3 weeks and can be measured directly by flow cytometry or by IgE secretion following in vitro culture. We also compared the IgE secretion by IgE+ plasmablasts with total plasma IgE concentrations and found that while IgE secretion consistently correlates with clinical allergy, total plasma IgE does not.

Discussion: Together, we describe IgE+ plasmablasts as a reliable and sensitive predictive biomarker of allergic disease development.

Keywords: IgE (immunoglobulin E); allergy; biomarker; hypersensitivity; plasmablast.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Allergens
  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Hypersensitivity*
  • Hypersensitivity, Immediate*
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Plasma Cells

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Allergens

Grants and funding

This work was submitted by the Harry M. Zweig Memorial Fund for Equine Research at Cornell University; and the USDA/NIFA [#2005-01812, #2015-67015-23072, and #2019-67015-29833]. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.