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Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology

Published in:

01-06-2018

Immunology of Bee Venom

Authors: Daniel Elieh Ali Komi, Farzaneh Shafaghat, Ricardo D. Zwiener

Published in: Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology | Issue 3/2018

Abstract

Bee venom is a blend of biochemicals ranging from small peptides and enzymes to biogenic amines. It is capable of triggering severe immunologic reactions owing to its allergenic fraction. Venom components are presented to the T cells by antigen-presenting cells within the skin. These Th2 type T cells then release IL-4 and IL-13 which subsequently direct B cells to class switch to production of IgE. Generating venom-specific IgE and crosslinking FcεR1(s) on the surface of mast cells complete the sensitizing stage in allergic individuals who are most likely to experience severe and even fatal allergic reactions after being stung. Specific IgE for bee venom is a double-edged sword as it is a powerful mediator in triggering allergic events but is also applied successfully in diagnosis of the venom allergic patient. The healing capacity of bee venom has been rediscovered under laboratory-controlled conditions using animal models and cell cultures. The potential role of enzymatic fraction of bee venom including phospholipase A2 in the initiation and development of immune responses also has been studied in numerous research settings. Undoubtedly, having insights into immunologic interactions between bee venom components and innate/specific immune cells both locally and systematically will contribute to the development of immunologic strategies in specific and epitope-based immunotherapy especially in individuals with Hymenoptera venom allergy.

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Title: Immunology of Bee Venom
Authors: Daniel Elieh Ali Komi
Farzaneh Shafaghat
Ricardo D. Zwiener
Publication date: 01-06-2018
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology / Issue 3/2018
Print ISSN: 1080-0549
Electronic ISSN: 1559-0267
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12016-017-8597-4

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