Sequential Switching Through IgG1 is Redundant for Allergic Reactivity and Memory to Allergens

Allergic reactions to foods are driven by allergen-binding immunoglobulin (Ig)E antibodies. IgE- expressing cells can be generated through a sequential class switching pathway where activated B cells first switch to an intermediary isotype, most frequently IgG1, and then to IgE. It has been proposed that sequential class switch recombination is important in generating high affinity IgE, augmenting anaphylactic reactions, and in holding the memory of IgE responses. Here, we observed surprising redundancy of sequential switching through IgG1 for the functional affinity of the IgE repertoire against multiple food allergens as well as for the ability of IgE to elicit anaphylaxis. We further found that sequential switching via IgG1 was irrelevant for allergic memory. These results indicate that allergen-specific IgG1 B cells are redundant in sensitization, anaphylaxis, and food allergy persistence, thereby implicating other switching pathways as important considerations in the development of therapeutics for allergic diseases.