Artemisia-specific immunoglobulin G4 (sIgG4)

Artemisia-specific immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) antibodies are protective antibodies induced during allergen immunotherapy (AIT) for patients sensitized to mugwort (Artemisia) pollen (Shamji & Durham, 2017, J Allergy Clin Immunol). These antibodies serve as 'blocking antibodies' by competing with allergen-specific IgE for binding to Artemisia allergens, such as Art v 1, thereby preventing the cross-linking of high-affinity IgE receptors (FcεRI) on mast cells and basophils (Flicker & Valenta, 2005, Nat Rev Immunol). This competition effectively inhibits the release of inflammatory mediators like histamine and leukotrienes, which are responsible for allergic symptoms (Li et al., 2021, Int Arch Allergy Immunol). The induction of sIgG4 is a key mechanism in the development of long-term peripheral immune tolerance and is widely used as a surrogate biomarker for the clinical efficacy of subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy (Shamji & Durham, 2017, J Allergy Clin Immunol). While sIgG4 itself is not a therapeutic target for inhibition, its induction is the primary goal of AIT to shift the immune response from a Th2-mediated allergic state to a Th1/Treg-mediated tolerant state (Li et al., 2021, Int Arch Allergy Immunol).

Other names

Mugwort-specific IgG4Artemisia-specific IgG4Blocking antibodies

Induction of allergen-specific IgG4 antibodies that compete with IgE for allergen binding, preventing mast cell and basophil activation.