HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Search for Related Content

Notice

Immunoglobulin E. a New Class of Human Immunoglobulin¹

Studies of the nature of the antibodies associated with isologous skin sensitizing activity have indicated the presence of a previously unrecognized immunoglobulin in human serum. The immunoglobulin was identified by virtue of specific antigenic determinants. Independently, a protein with similar antigen characteristics was identified both in the serum of a patient with multiple myeloma and in normal serum. It is proposed that the normal protein and antigenically related myeloma proteins shall be designated IgE or E, and the heavy polypeptide chains of these molecules be designated (epsilon)-chains, in accordance with "Nomenclature for Human Immunoglobulins."² This replaces the previous usage of -globulin and IgND.

IgE has antigenic determinants in common with other immunoglobulin classes, as well as specific antigenic determinants. IgE from non-myeloma sources contained the determinants of light chains of type K and type L. The E myeloma protein had light chains of type L.

Footnotes

¹ This memorandum was drafted by the signatories following discussions held at the W.H.O. International Reference Centre for Immunoglobulins in Lausanne in February 1968.

² Bull. W.H.O., 30: 447, 1964.