Dictionary of Allergies .. Atopic diseases

An atopic disease is characterized by a high and sustained synthesis of IgE following stimulation by environmental antigens (allergens), such as pollens, moulds, house dust, animal danders or foods. IgE binds to high affinity FcœRI on mast cells and basophils, and to low affinity FcœR (FcœR2) on B cells, monocytes, eosinophils, and platelets.

The re-introduction of the antigen, which crosslinks FcœR-bound IgE, induces the release of a variety of mediators, which trigger a cascade of events resulting in the clinical symptoms of allergy. Diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, urticaria, eczema, food allergy are characterized as atopic when based on IgE-antibody interaction.

References

Dreborg, S. (ed.): Skin tests used in Type I allergy testing. Position paper. Allergy 1989:44(Suppl. 10): 52-59.