Fig. 2

Molecular mimicry can lead to IgE antibody production against self-antigens. An impaired barrier function facilitates access to environmental allergens and pathogens resulting in allergic sensitization and specific IgE antibody production. In the case of structural homologies of the epitopes (molecular mimicry), this can result in cross reactivity between exogenous antigens and self-antigens. DC dendritic cell, Th2 T helper 2 lymphocytes, IgE immunoglobulin E, IL-4 interleukin-4