Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is a well-known key factor in allergic airway disease; however, its central role in non-allergic airway inflammation is often underestimated. In some airway diseases, IgE is produced as a result of allergic sensitization. However, in others, IgE production occurs despite the lack of a specific allergen. Although multiple pathways contribute to the production of IgE in airway disease, it is its activity in mediating the inflammatory response that is associated with disease. Therefore, an understanding of IgE as the unifying component of upper and lower airway diseases has important implications for both diagnosis and treatment. Understanding the role of IgE in each upper and lower airway disease highlights its potential utility as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target. Further classification of these diseases by whether they are IgE mediated or non–IgE mediated, rather than by the existence of an underlying allergic component, accounts for both systemic and localized IgE activity. Improvements in diagnostic methodologies and standardization of clinical practices with this classification in mind can help identify patients with IgE-mediated diseases. In doing so, this group of patients can receive optimal care through targeted anti-IgE therapeutics, which have already demonstrated efficacy across numerous IgE-mediated upper and lower airway diseases.

免疫球蛋白E（IgE）是众所周知的过敏性气道疾病的关键因素；然而，它在非过敏性气道炎症中的核心作用常常被低估。在一些气道疾病中，IgE 是过敏致敏的结果。然而，在其他情况下，尽管缺乏特定的过敏原，仍会产生 IgE。尽管多种途径有助于气道疾病中 IgE 的产生，但它在介导与疾病相关的炎症反应中的活性。因此，将 IgE 理解为上呼吸道和下呼吸道疾病的统一成分对诊断和治疗都具有重要意义。了解 IgE 在每种上呼吸道和下呼吸道疾病中的作用突出了其作为诊断标志物和治疗靶点的潜在效用。通过这些疾病是 IgE 介导的还是非 IgE 介导的，而不是通过潜在过敏成分的存在来进一步分类这些疾病，说明了全身和局部 IgE 活性。考虑到这种分类，诊断方法的改进和临床实践的标准化有助于识别 IgE 介导疾病的患者。通过这样做，这组患者可以通过靶向抗 IgE 疗法获得最佳护理，这些疗法已经证明了对多种 IgE 介导的上呼吸道和下呼吸道疾病的疗效。考虑到这种分类，诊断方法的改进和临床实践的标准化有助于识别 IgE 介导疾病的患者。通过这样做，这组患者可以通过靶向抗 IgE 疗法获得最佳护理，这些疗法已经证明了对多种 IgE 介导的上呼吸道和下呼吸道疾病的疗效。考虑到这种分类，诊断方法的改进和临床实践的标准化有助于识别 IgE 介导疾病的患者。通过这样做，这组患者可以通过靶向抗 IgE 疗法获得最佳护理，这些疗法已经证明了对多种 IgE 介导的上呼吸道和下呼吸道疾病的疗效。