Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Regulation and Biology

immunoglobulin e
Normally present at very low levels in plasma, antibodies of the immunoglobulin E (IgE) isotype were first discovered in 1967, decades after the description of IgA, IgG, and IM. IgE antibodies are produced primarily by plasma cells in mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue and their levels are uniformly elevated in patients suffering from atopic conditions like allergic rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis. Production of allergen-specific IgE in atopic individuals is driven both by a genetic predisposition to the synthesis of this isotype as well as by environmental factors, including chronic allergen exposure. (more…)

Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha in Symptomatic Corticosteroid-Dependent Asthma

Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha
Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) is a major therapeutic target in a range of chronic inflammatory disorders involving neutrophils and its excess production is characterized by a Th1-type immune response. Asthma is regarded as a Th2-type disorder when associated with atopy, (more…)

Primary Immunodeficiencies: Antibody Deficiency and Immunoglobulin Replacement Therapy

Primary immunodeficiencies occur with a frequency approaching that of cystic fibrosis (1:2500 live births). However, because they are perceived to be very rare and usually present with common infections, they are under-diagnosed. Often the diagnosis is not considered until substantial end-organ damage has occurred, by which time definitive treatment is only partially successful in preventing further infections. (more…)

SAP Gene Defects In Male Patients Diagnosed With Common Variable Immunodeficiency

The molecular basis of Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) is unknown and the diagnosis requires the exclusion of other diseases known to cause primary antibody deficiency syndromes, such as X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP). XLP is a rare primary immunodeficiency disease in which severe immune dysregulatory phenomena occur, typically after exposure to Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). The defective gene in XLP is SAP (SLAM associated protein, where SLAM is signalling lymphocyte activation molecule), a small SH2 domain containing protein involved in signal transduction events downstream of the SLAM family of receptors. (more…)

Food Intolerance Test - Which One is Best?

food intolerance test
Having a food intolerance test is becoming increasingly popular nowadays. This is because the symptoms of indigestion, stomach cramps, headaches, insomnia and constipation are associated with food intolerance. Food intolerance or food sensitivity is much more common than food allergies. It is estimated that around 10% of people are allergic to a food, but the number is increasing between 30-60% of people with intolerance to one or more additives or chemicals allergies in food. (more…)

Antibodies and the Immune Response - Human Immune System

antibodies immune response

B cells

The main function of B cells is to produce antibodies. Antibodies are complex molecules produced by the immune system in response to antigens. As mentioned previously, antigens are foreign proteins or glycoproteins (a sugar linked to a protein) that trigger the immune response. Every living cell produces several different proteins, each unique to its own cell type and species. The antibody produced against the antigen is entirely specific to that antigen. (more…)

Ayurveda Treatment for Allergies Medication

ayurveda treatment
Allergies refers to an exaggerated reaction by our healthy immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. These foreign substances are usually harmless. But, in a person whose body is prone to allergies, these foreign substances are recognized by the body and one part of the immune system is turned on. Allergy-producing substances are called as ‘allergens‘. Examples include pollens, dust mite, molds, danders, and certain foods. (more…)

Food Allergies and Intolerance — Basic Mechanisms

food-allergy-food-intoleranceOur current knowledge for trigger factor and food allergy intolerance is still in it infancy level. We already known that the allergic intolerance are different for groups of people. Some individuals are less resistant in developing allergy than others. Allergic sensitivity or atopic allergic disease are heritable and this means that genetic factors is playing a critical role. But the latest researches reveal that it is not merely heredity factors, environmental also have significant impact for someone to develop allergy.

Allergy trigger in the form of food allergen are mostly fallen to some certain foods like milk, egg, peanuts, fish, soya and nuts. We are curios on what is so peculiar about allergens in food? (more…)

Immunity to Bacteria and How Cellular Immune Response Reacts

immune_bacteriaBacteria cause allergic disease because of toxicity, invasiveness, immunopathology, or lends of these three mechanisms. Thus much of the interaction between a given bacterial species and the cellular immune response can be predicted by considering the immunological mechanisms available in relation to the mechanism of pathogenicity, and the structure of the bacterium. For a toxigenic bacterium, neutralizing antigen & antibody may be all that is needed. Otherwise destruction of the organism itself may be required. (more…)