Type I hypersensitivities, or allergies, are mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE) that causes the release of inflammatory substances from mast cells. In horses, clinical manifestation of allergy often occurs at 4-5 years of age, while sensitization to allergen can precede clinical signs by several years. We have recently shown that immediate skin reactions in horses can be mediated by IgE and also by anti-IgG(T) antibodies. Currently, we investigate whether IgE and IgG(T) both contribute to clinical allergy in the horse.
If you own a horse diagnosed with summer eczema by your veterinarian, please consider contributing to research on this disease by submitting blood samples from your horse.
Related Links
References
Induction of interleukin-4 production in neonatal IgE+ cells after crosslinking of maternal IgE
Wagner B, Stokol T, Ainsworth DM
Dev Comp Immunol. 2010 Apr;34(4):436-44. doi: 10.1016/j.dci.2009.12.002. Epub 2009 Dec 16.
IgE in horses: occurrence in health and disease
Wagner B
Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2009 Nov 15;132(1):21-30. doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2009.09.011. Epub 2009 Sep 23.
Wagner B, Miller WH Jr, Erb HN, Lunn DP, Antczak DF
Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2009 Nov 15;132(1):53-61. doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2009.09.015. Epub 2009 Sep 23.
Wagner B, Childs BA, Erb HN
Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2008 Dec 15;126(3-4):302-8. doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2008.09.001. Epub 2008 Sep 11.
Morgan EE, Miller WH Jr, Wagner B
Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2007 Dec 15;120(3-4):160-7. doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2007.08.007. Epub 2007 Aug 19.
IgE and IgG antibodies in skin allergy of the horse
Wagner B, Miller WH, Morgan EE, Hillegas JM, Erb HN, Leibold W, Antczak DF
Vet Res. 2006 Nov-Dec;37(6):813-25. doi: 10.1051/vetres:2006039. Epub 2006 Sep 15.
Wagner B, Radbruch A, Rohwer J, Leibold W
Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2003 Mar 20;92(1-2):45-60. doi: 10.1016/s0165-2427(03)00007-2.
Wagner B, Siebenkotten G, Leibold W, Radbruch A
Equine Vet J. 2002 Nov;34(7):657-65. doi: 10.2746/042516402776250324.