MEANS AND METHODS FOR MANIPULATING HYPERSENSITIVITY-LIKE RESPONSES

摘要

Immunoglobulin light chains Ig-LC are produced in excess in animals compared to heavy chains. The present invention implicates these Ig-LC in hypersensitivity responses and provides means and methods for manipulating the responses. The invention further provides a common gamma chain independent receptor on mast cells capable of mediating the mentioned effects of Ig-LC. In response to activation of the pathway of which the found receptor is a part, a mast cell is activated and stimulated to degranulate.