[B cells, antibody production, and allergy].

: IgE, a unique subclass of antibodies, leads to the development of allergic inflammation by eliciting mast cell activation. The molecular process of allergen specific IgE production which works for class switch recombination in B cells can be a good target for the treatment of allergic disorders. Here, we review the mechanism of IgE class switch recombination in B cells, and then introduce current topics including our findings; (1) preferable usage of IgE VH families in subjects with allergic diseases; (2) allergic march and epitope spreading; and (3) regulation of IgE synthesis by cognate interaction between B cells and mast cells in the local inflammatory sites such as nasal mucosa and skin.