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Immunoglobulin E

by Victoria Groce
for About.com

Updated May 05, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Definition: Immunoglobulin E, or IgE, is one of the five immunoglobulins produced by the immune system, and the one most associated with allergies. IgE causes the release of histamine upon detecting the presence an allergen it has encountered previously and been "primed" to.
Pronunciation: im-MEW-no-GLAW-bew-lin
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