Th2-polarized immune response – native egg white

The Th2-polarized immune response to native egg white refers to a pathological immunological state characterized by the activation of Type 2 helper T cells in response to major egg allergens such as ovomucoid (Gal d 1) and ovalbumin (Gal d 2) (Caubet & Wang, 2011). This response involves the secretion of cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, which promote the production of allergen-specific IgE antibodies and the subsequent activation of mast cells and eosinophils (Dang et al., 2013). While not a single molecular target, this biological process is the underlying mechanism of egg allergy, one of the most common food allergies in children worldwide. Clinical management of this response includes the use of Omalizumab to sequester IgE or Dupilumab to block IL-4/IL-13 signaling, thereby reducing allergic inflammation (StatPearls, 2023). Additionally, oral immunotherapy (OIT) is used to modify this response by inducing desensitization or permanent immunological tolerance. Monitoring this response typically involves measuring specific IgE levels to individual egg components, which helps predict the likelihood of outgrowing the allergy (Benhamou et al., 2010).

Other names

Egg allergyEgg-induced Th2 responseNative egg white hypersensitivityType 2 inflammation to egg allergensEgg-allergic sensitization

Therapeutic strategies involve the neutralization of circulating IgE antibodies, blockade of Th2-associated cytokine receptors (IL-4R alpha), or the induction of immune tolerance through gradual, controlled allergen exposure (OIT).