Final answer:
The production of IgE involves interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 cytokines stimulating B cells to produce IgE, which binds to mast cells. Upon re-exposure to the allergen, these primed mast cells release histamines causing allergic reactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two key factors in the production of IgE are the roles of cytokines, specifically interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13, and the interaction with specific cells in the immune system, particularly B cells and mast cells. During a first exposure to an allergen, antigen-presenting cells display the allergen to T helper cells, which in turn activate B cells. These B cells, with the help of cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 released from TH2 cells, undergo clonal proliferation and differentiation into plasma cells that produce IgE.
The IgE molecules then bind to high-affinity receptors on the surface of mast cells. Upon secondary exposure to the allergen, these IgE-primed mast cells release various chemical mediators, including histamine, which leads to the symptoms characteristic of allergic reactions such as vasodilation, edema, and rash. It's important to note that the initial production of IgE does not yet cause allergic symptoms; it's the subsequent exposure and the sensitization of the mast cells that prime the individual for an allergic reaction.