Partial sequences of feline and caprine immunoglobulin epsilon heavy chain cDNA and comparative binding studies of recombinant IgE fragment-specific antibodies across different species.

Parts of the feline and caprine IgE epsilon heavy chain cDNA (third and fourth constant domains, IgEf3/4) were cloned, sequenced, and expressed to raise antibodies (Abs). The DNA and derived protein sequences of the feline recombinant IgEf (rIgEf) shared high homology with the analogous canine parts (81% at the nucleotide and 71% at the protein levels) and the caprine with the ovine ones (95%/84%), respectively. The polyclonal Abs raised in chickens against the feline and caprine rIgEf3/4 were subjected to a comparative binding study utilizing an ELISA including rIgEf and specific Abs to these rIgEf from dog and horse (rIgEf2 and rIgEf3/4) and sheep (rIgEf3/4). All but the ovine-specific rIgEf3/4 Ab were polyclonal, which had been raised in chickens, and bound to most applied rIgEf; the ovine-specific monoclonal mouse Ab recognized only in addition to ovine rIgEf3/4 the closely related caprine rIgEf3/4. Significant, positive correlations were detected between binding reactions of the polyclonal Abs in ELISA and percentage protein sequence homology (p<0.01). Thus, the newly described feline and caprine IgE nucleotide sequences and corresponding Abs represent useful tools for further species-specific and comparative allergy and disease-associated research.