Allergy Medicine
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For the millions world wide who suffer from allergies, recent advances in immunotherapy research are welcomed news. Whether caused by plants, animals, food or other environmental triggers, such as mold or pesticides, any inappropriate immune response is an allergy. These triggers are known as antigens and the IgE antibody causes most allergic reactions. Nonallergic people produce small amounts of this antibody, but allergy sufferers produce vast quantities as a reaction to allergens.
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Research reports from Center of Expertise in Environmental Toxicology provide new insights into asthma
2007 NOV 20 -- Researchers detail in 'The allergic cascade: review of the most important molecules in the asthmatic lung,' new data in asthma. According to recent research from Mol, Belgium, "Asthma is the most common chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways among children. It is a complex clinical disease characterized by airway obstruction, airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness to a variety of stimuli." "The development of allergic asthma exists of three phases, namely the induction phase, the early-phase asthmatic reaction (EAR) and the late-phase asthmatic reaction (LAR). Each phase is characterized by the production and interplay of various cell-derived mediators. In the induction phase, T helper cytokines are important in the development of asthma. Most important mediators in the EAR are preformed mediators, newly synthesized lipid mediators and cytokines that are produced by mast cells. During the LAR, inflammatory molecules are produced by various cell types, such as eosinophils, neutrophils, T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and structural cells. Chronical inflammation leads to structural changes of the airway architecture," wrote K. Bloemen and colleagues, Center of Expertise in Environmental Toxicology. The researchers concluded: "In this review, the most important mediators involved in the induction phase, the early-phase and late-phase asthmatic reaction are discussed." Bloemen and colleagues published their study in Immunology Letters (The allergic cascade: review of the most important molecules in the asthmatic lung. Immunology Letters, 2007;113(1):6-18). For additional information, contact K. Bloemen, Centre of Expertise in Environmental Toxicology, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, B-2400 Molecular, Belgium. Publisher contact information for the journal Immunology Letters is: Elsevier Science BV, PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands. Keywords: Belgium, Mol, Airway Obstruction, Allergies, Allergy Medicine, Asthma, Immunology. This article was prepared by Life Science Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Life Science Weekly via NewsRx.com.
Alergies and Immunotherapy
The IgE antibodies bind to two types of cells, basophils (circulating in blood) and mast cells, that are plentiful in the lungs, skin, tongue, and linings of the nose and intestinal tract. These cells release histamines and other chemicals that cause allergic symptoms. When a susceptible person encounters the same allergen again, it attaches to the IgE antibodies already bound to basophils and mast cells, starting the same chain reaction. Recent research has focused on antigen-specific immunotherapy, with aim of producing an immunogenic response tailored to each allergen.
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