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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...

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...

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions

Type III hypersensitivity reactions occur when antigen–antibody complexes form and activate the complement system. Normally, these complexes help the clearance of antigens by phagocytes and red blood cells. However, when large numbers of immune complexes are present, they can deposit in tissues—particularly in the walls of blood vessels—leading to inflammation and tissue injury. These deposits trigger complement activation and neutrophil recruitment, resulting in serum sickness, a systemic...

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions

Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity (DTH), or Type IV hypersensitivity, is a cell-mediated immune response. It occurs when T cells, rather than antibodies, mediate a reaction to specific antigens. It is characterized by a delayed onset (1-2 days) and involves the recruitment of macrophages to the inflammation site.The initiation of a DTH response begins with the sensitization of T cells. During this phase, which lasts at least 1-2 weeks, antigen-specific T cells are activated, clonally expanded, and...

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...

Metal-Ligand Bonds

Metal-Ligand Bonds

The hemoglobin in the blood, the chlorophyll in green plants, vitamin B-12, and the catalyst used in the manufacture of polyethylene all contain coordination compounds. Ions of the metals, especially the transition metals, are likely to form complexes.
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Techniques for Determining the Structure and Mechanisms of Metal Ion Recognition and Redox Activity of Metal Binding Oligopeptides

Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Techniques for Determining the Structure and Mechanisms of Metal Ion Recognition and Redox Activity of Metal Binding Oligopeptides

Published on: September 7, 2019

Structural basis of metal hypersensitivity.

Yang Wang¹, Shaodong Dai

¹Integrated Department of Immunology, National Jewish Health & University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO 80206, USA.

Immunologic Research

|September 18, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Metal hypersensitivity, an immune disorder, involves T cells reacting to metal ions like nickel and beryllium. New crystal structures reveal how these metal ions bind to human immune molecules, offering insights into allergic reactions.

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Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Techniques for Determining the Structure and Mechanisms of Metal Ion Recognition and Redox Activity of Metal Binding Oligopeptides

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Area of Science:

Immunology
Structural Biology
Allergy Research

Background:

Metal hypersensitivity is a prevalent immune disorder affecting millions through various exposures.
Nickel and beryllium allergies are well-documented, impacting skin and lungs, and are mediated by T cells.
Current understanding of metal-specific T cell receptor interactions with metal-loaded MHC molecules remains incomplete.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying T cell-mediated metal hypersensitivity.
To determine the structural basis of how nickel and beryllium ions are presented by human MHC class II molecules.

Main Methods:

X-ray crystallography was employed to determine the structures of human MHC class II molecules (HLA-DR52c and HLA-DP2) presenting nickel and beryllium.
Analysis of the obtained crystal structures to identify key interactions between metal ions, MHC molecules, and peptide complexes.

Main Results:

The crystal structures revealed unique features of nickel- and beryllium-loaded MHC class II molecules.
These structures provide a detailed view of how metal ions modify the MHC-peptide binding surface, influencing T cell recognition.

Conclusions:

The determined structures offer unprecedented molecular insights into the recognition of metal ions by T cells in hypersensitivity reactions.
This structural information is crucial for understanding the pathogenesis of metal allergies and developing targeted therapies.