Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Allergic Reactions

Allergic Reactions

Special Features of Adaptive Immunity

Special Features of Adaptive Immunity

The adaptive immune system, a crucial component of the overall immune response, offers a highly specialized defense against pathogens. It involves specific cell types and features, enabling it to combat infections effectively and efficiently.
The primary cell types involved in adaptive immunity are T cells and B cells. Each type has a unique role in defending the body against pathogens. T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. They identify and eliminate infected cells directly,...

Allergic Drug Reactions

Allergic Drug Reactions

Allergic reactions related to drugs are hypersensitivity responses driven by the immune system and bear no connection to the drug's therapeutic action. While drugs in isolation do not trigger an immune response, they can interact with endogenous proteins to form antigens. These antigens stimulate lymphocytes to produce antibodies. IgE-type antibodies attach themselves to mast cells. Upon subsequent exposure to the same stimulus, the antigen-antibody interaction is initiated, unleashing numerous...

Hypersensitivities

Hypersensitivities

Hypersensitivity, also known as a hypersensitivity reaction or allergic reaction, is a condition where the body's immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance. Such substances, that cause hypersensitivity are referred to as an allergen, could be something typically harmless to most people, like pollen or certain foods.
Types of Hypersensitivities
Hypersensitivity reactions are categorized into four types: Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4. Each type has a distinct mechanism...

Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis

Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction mediated by Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. When IgE binds to allergens, it triggers the release of mediators– histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins from mast cells and basophils. These mediators cause vasodilation, edema, and inflammation, leading to various symptoms.The primary allergens causing anaphylaxis include food items (e.g., peanuts, shellfish), drugs (e.g., penicillin, asparaginase, corticotropin, heparin),...

Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions

Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions

Drug-related allergies are immune-mediated responses triggered by the administration of pharmacological agents. These hypersensitivity reactions are classified based on the immune mechanisms involved. The four primary types—Type I, II, III, and IV—are mediated by different immunological pathways and exhibit distinct clinical manifestations.Type I Hypersensitivity/ IgE-Mediated Reactions: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) immediately mediates Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Upon initial exposure to a...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Increased bronchial density of CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in occupational asthma: relationship to current smoking.

Scandinavian journal of immunology·2013

Same author

Environmental chemicals and food allergy/intolerance, a synopsis.

Environmental toxicology and pharmacology·2011

Same author

The Fluid-phase SC5b-9 Terminal Complement Complex Binds to the GPIIb/IIIa Complex of Thrombin-stimulated Human Blood Platelets Inhibiting Platelet Aggregation.

Platelets·2010

Same author

PGE2 production in oral cancer cell lines is COX-2-dependent.

Journal of dental research·2009

Same author

Reduced bronchial CD4+ T-cell density in smokers with occupational asthma.

The European respiratory journal·2006

Same author

Airway inflammation in aluminium potroom asthma.

Occupational and environmental medicine·2004

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

Antigenic Liposomes for Generation of Disease-specific Antibodies

Antigenic Liposomes for Generation of Disease-specific Antibodies

Published on: October 25, 2018

Why are we not all allergic: basic mechanisms for tolerance development.

T S Halstensen¹

¹Department of Environmental Medicine, National Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 4404, Torshov, N-0403 Oslo, Norway.

Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology

|July 26, 2011

Summary

Oral tolerance prevents inflammatory reactions to harmless food antigens. Allergy arises from a failure in this immune regulation, often influenced by genetics and environmental factors impacting immune responses.

More Related Videos

Contact Hypersensitivity as a Murine Model of Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Contact Hypersensitivity as a Murine Model of Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Published on: September 26, 2022

A Mouse Ear Model for Allergic Contact Dermatitis Evaluation

A Mouse Ear Model for Allergic Contact Dermatitis Evaluation

Published on: March 24, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 30, 2026

Antigenic Liposomes for Generation of Disease-specific Antibodies

Antigenic Liposomes for Generation of Disease-specific Antibodies

Published on: October 25, 2018

Contact Hypersensitivity as a Murine Model of Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Contact Hypersensitivity as a Murine Model of Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Published on: September 26, 2022

A Mouse Ear Model for Allergic Contact Dermatitis Evaluation

A Mouse Ear Model for Allergic Contact Dermatitis Evaluation

Published on: March 24, 2023

Area of Science:

Immunology
Allergy Research
Mucosal Immunity

Background:

Mucosal surfaces normally tolerate harmless antigens, preventing inflammatory responses.
Oral tolerance is crucial for regulating immune reactions to dietary proteins.
The immune system differentiates between harmless antigens and pathogens, employing distinct responses like IgA, IgE, or IgG production.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the mechanisms underlying oral tolerance and its failure in allergy.
To investigate the role of genetic and environmental factors in immune response regulation.
To understand how the immune system distinguishes between harmless antigens and invasive microorganisms.

Main Methods:

Analysis of immune cross-regulation pathways involving IgA, IgE, and IgG.
Examination of genetic influences on interleukin-4 (IL-4) production.
Investigation of T-helper cell differentiation (Th1 vs. Th2 pathways) and responsiveness to IL-12.
Assessment of environmental factors, age, antigen dose, and entry site on mucosal tolerance.

Main Results:

Allergy is characterized as an anti-parasitic response to misinterpreted harmless antigens, indicating a breakdown of tolerance.
Genetic factors, particularly those controlling initial IL-4 production, significantly influence the immune response bias towards IgE production and Th2 cell development.
Sustained Th2 cell activity can lead to a permanent "allergic" phenotype by reducing responsiveness to IFN-γ-inducing signals.
Mucosal tolerance is dependent on the integrity of the mucosal surface, age, and antigen administration parameters.

Conclusions:

Failure in oral tolerance induction, influenced by genetic predisposition to IL-4 production, is a key factor in allergy development.
Immune responses are shaped by a complex interplay between genetic background and environmental cues.
Therapeutic strategies targeting immune manipulation may be more effective for the primary prevention of allergy.