The alpha-chain of high-affinity receptor for IgE (FcepsilonRIalpha) gene polymorphisms and serum IgE levels

BACKGROUND: The high-affinity receptor for immunoglobulin-E (IgE) (FcepsilonRI) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of allergy, but there are only two published studies on its alpha subunit (FcepsilonRIalpha) genetic variability in allergic diseases. AIMS OF THE STUDY: Mutational screening in the region of the FcepsilonRIalpha gene promoter and the first exon with subsequent genetic variability assessment in allergic patients and a random population sample. METHODS: Allergic subjects were individuals with asthma or urticaria. Age- and sex-matched controls were randomly selected from a large population sample. Mutational screening was performed using a single-stranded conformational polymorphism and subsequent sequencing. Detected polymorphisms were genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Total serum IgE was measured in allergic subjects and controls. Skin prick tests, blood eosinophil count and aspirin challenge test were performed only in the subjects. A subgroup of the subjects was further characterized by autologous serum skin test, histamine release test, Phadiatop and IgE antibodies against staphylococcal enterotoxins. RESULTS: Two linked polymorphisms -344 C>T and -95 T>C were found within the FcepsilonRIalpha gene. The allele -344 T frequency was 0.45 vs 0.37 (P = 0.33), and the allele -95 C frequency was 0.26 in subjects vs 0.30 in controls (P = 0.62). Serum IgE was significantly higher in subjects homozygous for the -344T allele (TT genotype) than in those carrying the -344 C allele (CT or CC genotype; P = 0.003), but this association was not detectable in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings of genotype-related differences in IgE levels in allergic patients suggest an impact of -344 C>T but not -95 T>C gene polymorphism of FcepsilonRIalpha on total levels of IgE. The genetic variability in FcepsilonRIalpha at the -344 nucleotide of its regulatory sequence, though not related to atopy, predicts higher levels of the immunoglobulin.     

Autoantibodies to the high-affinity IgE receptor in patients with asthma

Autoimmune diseases have been implicated as a cause of intrinsic asthma; however, there is little data on the role of autoimmunity in the pathogenesis of asthma. The purpose of this study was to investigate circulating autoantibodies against the high-affinity IgE receptor Fc(epsilon)RI in patients with asthma. Seventy-eight patients with asthma and 32 healthy individuals as control subjects were included. All subjects were tested with basophil histamine releasing assay and immunoblotting to assess for the potential presence of receptor Fc(epsilon)RI autoantibodies. Of the 78 asthma patients total subjects, 25 (32.1%) had a positive by basophil histamine releasing assay and 23 (29.5%) by immunoblotting. Both of them were significant higher than the positive rate, 9.4% (p < 0.05) and 9.4% (p < 0.05), respectively. Our data demonstrated that aberrant autoantibodies against the high-affinity IgE receptor Fc(epsilon)RI were found in some patients with asthma implies that the autoimmunity may be one factor in intrinsic asthma pathogenesis.     

Autoantibodies to the high-affinity IgE receptor in children with chronic urticaria.

BACKGROUND: Chronic urticaria (CU) in childhood remains a challenge for investigation, and its etiology is largely unknown. Autoantibodies to the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI) are believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease in adults. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of autoantibodies to FcepsilonRIalpha on basophils in children with CU vs atopic eczema dermatitis syndrome (AEDS). METHODS: Eighty children with CU were compared with 38 children with AEDS. In addition to complete blood cell counts and total IgE measurements, CAP-RASTs to egg, codfish, soy, milk, and peanut were performed. Stool samples were examined for parasites, and autologous serum skin testing and a functional anti-FcepsilonRIalpha assay were conducted to detect autoantibodies. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between children with CU and controls in mean basophil or eosinophil counts. Twenty (26%) of 77 children with CU and 31 (82%) of 38 with AEDS had positive CAP-RAST results (P < .001). Only 2.5% of the children with CU and 0% with AEDS had stool samples positive for parasites (P = .005). Anti-FcepsilonRIalpha autoantibodies were positive in 37 (47%) of 78 children with CU and in none of 33 with AEDS. Non-IgG histamine-releasing factors were found in 10 (13%) of 78 children with CU. CONCLUSIONS: Children have a similar prevalence of autoantibodies to the FcepsilonRIalpha as has been previously published for adults. Few have type I allergies, and parasite infestation is also uncommon. Further studies are required to investigate the predictive value of the autoantibodies in these children with respect to clinical profile, requirements for medications other than antihistamines, and remission rates.     

Polymorphisms of high-affinity IgE receptor and histamine-related genes in patients with ASA-induced urticaria/angioedema

The pathogenic mechanism of ASA-induced urticaria/angioedema (AIU) is still poorly understood, but it has been known that histamine releasing by cutaneous mast cell activation is considered to be an important role. Considering the importance of histamine in AIU, we speculated that a genetic abnormality of histamine-related genes such as a high-affinity IgE receptor, a metabolic enzyme of histamines and histamine receptors, may be involved in the development of AIU. Enrolled in the study were 110 patients with AIU, 53 patients without ASA hypersensitivity who had various drug allergies presenting as exanthematous skin symptoms, and 99 normal healthy controls (NC). Eleven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the beta chain of the high-affinity IgE receptor (FCER1B) and three histamine-related genes-histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT), histamine H1 receptor (HRH1), histamine H2 receptor (HRH2)-were screened using the SNP-IT assay based on a single base extension method. No significant differences were observed in allele and genotype frequencies, and haplotype frequencies of all the SNPs of FCER1B, HNMT, HRH1, and HRH2 among the three groups (p>0.05, respectively). These results suggest that the polymorphisms of FCER1B and the three histamine-related genes may not contribute to the development of AIU phenotype in the Korean population.     

Increased total serum IgE levels in patients with asthma and promoter polymorphisms at CTLA4 and FCER1B.

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence indicates that total serum IgE levels are largely determined by genetic factors, and we recently established that the -109C/T promoter polymorphism at FCER1B is a genetic factor that affects total serum IgE levels. The gene encoding cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) is another candidate factor in high IgE responsiveness, because B7-CD28/CTLA4 interaction can promote the differentiation and development of the T(H)2 lymphocyte subset. OBJECTIVE: We intended to determine whether CTLA4 is associated with increased levels of total serum IgE or with the development of asthma or atopy. METHODS: We performed a case-control study involving 339 patients with asthma and 305 healthy control subjects, of whom 226 of the patients with asthma and 219 of the healthy control subjects had previously been genotyped for the -109C/T promoter polymorphism at FCER1B. In the current study, we genotyped 2 polymorphisms in the CTLA4 gene, one involving the promoter (-318C/T) and the other involving exon 1 (+49A/G), in addition to the FCER1B promoter polymorphism. RESULTS: Patients with asthma who were homozygous for the -318C allele at the CTLA4 promoter region had higher levels of total serum IgE than patients with asthma carrying the -318T allele (P =.00470). The analysis of -318C/T (at CTLA4) and -109C/T (at FCER1B) promoter polymorphisms showed a significant correlation between the combined genotypes and increased levels of total IgE in patients with asthma (P =.000014). In contrast, no correlation between total serum IgE levels and -318C/T or +49A/G genotypes was detected in 305 healthy control subjects. There was no evidence indicating an association between a putative allele for asthma or atopy and alleles at any of the CTLA4 polymorphic loci. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that promoter polymorphisms of both CTLA4 and FCER1B are genetic factors that influence total serum IgE levels in patients with asthma. This supports the theory that variance in total serum IgE levels in patients with asthma is determined by mutations in multiple genes, each of which has a relatively small effect on the phenotype.     

IgE与其高亲和力受体FcεRⅠ的相互作用

IgE在I型变态反应中起着及其重要的作用,其与效应细胞上的IgE高亲和力受体(FcεRI)结合,从而触发细胞内一系列信号转导,使肥大细胞发生脱颗粒并释放大量炎性介质是哮喘等过敏性疾病的重要发病机制。本文主要针对IgE及其受体FcεRI的生物学特点以及它们相互结合这一重要步骤的结构研究进行综述。     

The E237G polymorphism of the high-affinity IgE receptor beta chain and asthma.

BACKGROUND: The beta chain of high-affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI beta) has been proposed as a candidate gene for asthma and atopic diseases. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of the E237G polymorphism of the FcepsilonRI beta gene and to investigate its association with asthma and total IgE levels in 3 Asian populations. METHODS: A total of 291 asthmatic patients (141 Chinese, 68 Malay, and 82 Indian) and 355 asymptomatic blood donors (157 Chinese, 100 Malay, and 98 Indian) were recruited. The E237G genotype was determined by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. Total serum IgE level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The G allele was more common in Chinese controls (17.9%) than in Malay (11.5%) (P = .05) and Indian (9.2%) (P = .01) controls. Genotypes with the G allele were more prevalent in asthmatic patients in the Chinese population (odds ratio, 1.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-3.77; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: There were interethnic differences in the frequencies of the G variant among Chinese, Malay, and Indian populations. The E237G polymorphism of FcsRI beta may be a risk factor for asthma in the Chinese population.     

Expression of the high-affinity IgE receptor on peripheral blood dendritic cells: differential binding of IgE in atopic asthma

BACKGROUND: Dendritic cells can express the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI), which, in the presence of specific IgE, facilitates the uptake of allergen, leading to increased activation of allergen-specific T cells. FcepsilonRI expression by dendritic cells is higher in the airways of atopic asthmatic subjects than in those of healthy, nonatopic control subjects. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to determine whether a similar difference in FcepsilonRI expression occurs between dendritic cells in the peripheral blood of atopic asthmatic subjects and healthy individuals and also whether an altered ability of FcepsilonRI(+) peripheral blood dendritic cells to bind IgE accompanies the atopic asthmatic state. METHODS: Flow cytometry was used to analyze the surface expression of FcepsilonRI and exogenously bound IgE on dendritic cells identified as lineage negative (CD3, CD14, CD16, CD19, and CD56) and HLA-DR bright. RESULTS: The total expression of FcepsilonRI on the surface of dendritic cells from healthy and asthmatic subjects was not significantly different. However, in vivo, dendritic cells from atopic asthmatic subjects had higher levels of receptor occupancy by IgE and bound exogenous IgE in vitro more efficiently than dendritic cells from healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: The similar levels of expression of FcepsilonRI on peripheral blood dendritic cells from healthy and asthmatic subjects suggest that the local environment in the airway is responsible for the upregulation of surface FcepsilonRI on airway dendritic cells in asthma. The results also suggest that the functional ability of FcepsilonRI to bind IgE is differentially controlled in the atopic state.     

IgE高亲和力受体β链基因多态性与湖北汉族人变应性哮喘易感性的研究

目的探讨IgE高亲和力受体β链( high-affinity IgE receptor β gene, Fc ε RI β)基因启动子-109位C/T和编码区Glu237Gly基因多态性与湖北汉族人变应性哮喘易感性及血浆总IgE的关系. 方法采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性技术检测 Fc ε RI β基因启动子区-109位和编码区Glu237Gly两位点多态性,采用病例-对照法研究了216例变应性哮喘患者和198名对照. 结果 (1)湖北汉族人变应性哮喘患者 Fc ε RI β基因启动子区-109位T/T、T/C和C/C基因型频率是0.403、0.491和0.106;与对照相比差异无显著性(χ2=0.384,P＞0.05),但变应性哮喘组T/T基因型患者血浆总IgE对数值(2.539±0.8325)与T/C基因型的对数值(2.278±1.089)和C/C基因型的对数值(2.323±0.7852)相比差异具有显著性.(2)变应性哮喘患者 Fc ε RI β基因Glu237Gly位点Glu/Glu、Glu/Gly和Gly/Gly基因型频率为0.579、0.370和0.051,与正常对照相比差异具有显著性(χ2=13.62,P＜0.01),变应性哮喘患者Gly/Gly基因型血浆总IgE对数值为(2.622±0.9374),与Glu/Glu和Glu/Gly相比差异具有显著性. 结论 Fc ε RI β基因启动子区-109位T/T基因型与血浆总IgE高度相关,编码区237位Gly/Gly基因型与中国湖北汉族人变应性哮喘及血浆高IgE相关.     

Interaction of IgE with its high-affinity receptor. Structural basis and requirements for effective cross-linking

Structural interactions between IgE and its high-affinity receptor have been investigated with the methods of fluorescence resonance energy transfer and genetic engineering. The results indicate that IgE has a bent conformation when bound to receptor on the cell surface and that the site of interaction is contained in the C epsilon 2 and C epsilon 3 domains; the C-terminal domain, C epsilon 4, is not required for binding. Cross-linking of IgE-receptor complexes is required for signal transduction across the plasma membrane. Binding studies with defined bivalent ligands indicate that structural and/or kinetic features determine the functional effectiveness of the cross-linked states.     

Physiologic assessment of allergic rhinitis in mice: role of the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI)

BACKGROUND: There have been few reports using animal models to study the development of allergic rhinitis. Characterization of such a model in mice would be advantageous given the availability of reagents and gene-manipulated strains. OBJECTIVE: We sought to develop a murine model of allergic rhinitis in the absence of lower airway changes. METHODS: After sensitization and challenge, both wild-type and FcepsilonRI-deficient mice were studied for their ability to develop early- and late-phase nasal responses. In the invasive approach, direct measurements of nasal airway resistance (R(NA)) were obtained; in the noninvasive approach using whole-body plethysmography, respiratory frequency and expiratory and inspiratory times were monitored. In both approaches, nasal responses were determined either acutely after challenge (early phase) or 24 hours after challenge (late phase). RESULTS: After challenge of sensitized mice, R(NA) significantly increased. In parallel, respiratory frequency significantly decreased and was highly correlated with the increases in R(NA). Sensitized wild-type mice had an early-phase nasal response and persistent nasal blockage (late-phase response) after allergen challenge. In contrast, sensitized and challenged FcepsilonRI alpha-chain-deficient mice did not have an early-phase nasal reaction and exhibited reduced nasal blockage and lower IL-13 levels in nasal tissue homogenates. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that FcepsilonRI is essential to development of an early-phase nasal response and contributes to the development of the late-phase nasal response. These invasive and noninvasive approaches provide new opportunities to evaluate the mechanisms underlying the development of nasal responses to allergen and to assess various therapeutic interventions.     

The influence of actin microfilaments on signaling by the receptor with high-affinity for IgE

Aggregation of the receptors with high-affinity for IgE (FcRI) stimulates a variety of cellular responses, but excessive aggregation inhibits such responses. Actin filaments have been implicated in the inhibitory phenomenon because disrupting the filaments enhances the cellular reactions stimulated by the aggregated receptors. To clarify further the molecular mechanism and physiological importance of the actin-mediated inhibition, we assessed the effect of inhibitors of actin polymerization on the initial signaling events of mast cells alternatively stimulated by nitrophenyl ligands that dissociate slowly (high-affinity) or rapidly (low-affinity) from receptor-bound anti-dinitrophenyl IgE. The inhibitors amplified the phosphorylation of FcRI and of Syk induced by addition of either ligand but at physiological temperatures, the augmentation of the response to the low-affinity ligand was especially exaggerated. The effect of actin is on the earliest events, and although the molecular mechanism(s) by which the filaments regulate the intensity of proximal signaling remains unclear, several possibilities have been excluded. That the inhibitors only minimally augment the responses stimulated by preformed dimers of IgE, and in general show smaller effects with more limited aggregation, suggests that the actin-mediated "down-regulation" may be more prominent in laboratory experiments than under physiological circumstances.     

A Bsr BI polymorphism in exon 1C of the human interleukin-1 receptor type I (IL-1RI) gene

We have identified a single nucleotide polymorphism in the 5' region of the human interleukin-1 receptor type I (IL-1RI) gene, a C-->A transversion at position 52 in exon 1C (GenBank accession number AF172151) which creates a Bsr BI restriction endonuclease site. Allele frequencies in a Caucasian population were 0.72 (C allele) and 0.28 (A allele).     

Fc Fragment of IgE Receptor Ig (FCER1G) acts as a key gene involved in cancer immune infiltration and tumour microenvironment

Although recent studies have revealed the relationship between Fc Fragment of IgE Receptor Ig (FCER1G) and human tumours, there is still a lack of a more comprehensive pan-cancer analysis of FCER1G as an immune-related gene. In this study, we investigated the expression pattern and prognostic value of FCER1G based on multiple databases. Subsequently, we further explored the role of FCER1G in tumour proliferation and metastasis, as well as its genomic alterations and DNA methylation levels, we next assessed the association between FCER1G and the immune infiltrating cells of the tumour microenvironment in different cancers and verified it by immunohistochemical staining. The correlation between FCER1G and immune checkpoint genes expression and its predictive power in the immune checkpoint blockade treatment cohorts were used to evaluate the importance of FCER1G in immunotherapy. Enrichment analysis of FCER1G-associated partners was also performed. In addition, we substantiated the expression of FCER1G in specific cell types of different tumours using single-cell RNA sequencing data from different databases. Our research results showed that FCER1G is up-regulated in most tumour. Positive associations were found between FCER1G expression and tumour prognosis, proliferation, and metastasis, we also found that FCER1G is closely related to the tumour microenvironment and tumour immunity. Moreover, FCER1G-associated partners were enriched in pathways associated with neutrophils activation. Finally, we confirmed that FCER1G was mainly expressed in monocyte/macrophages of the tumour microenvironment. In conclusion, our findings provided a comprehensive understanding of FCER1G in oncogenesis and tumour immunology among various tumours and demonstrated its potential value in prognosis prediction and tumour immunotherapy.