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Related Concept Videos

Allergic Reactions02:06

Allergic Reactions

34.3K
Overview
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Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis01:30

Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis

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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,...
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Allergic Drug Reactions01:27

Allergic Drug Reactions

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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...
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Hypersensitivities01:30

Hypersensitivities

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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...
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Cross-reactivity00:42

Cross-reactivity

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Overview
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Antibody Structure01:10

Antibody Structure

69.4K
Overview
Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins (Ig), are essential players of the adaptive immune system. These antigen-binding proteins are produced by B cells and make up 20 percent of the total blood plasma by weight. In mammals, antibodies fall into five different classes, which each elicits a different biological response upon antigen binding.
The Y-Shaped Structure of Antibodies Consists of Four Polypeptide Chains
Antibodies consist of four polypeptide chains: two identical heavy...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Development of an in vitro model system for studying the interaction of Equus caballus IgE with its high-affinity receptor FcεRI
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Published on: November 1, 2014

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Why did evolution give us allergies?

Michael Gross

    Current Biology : CB
    |March 11, 2015
    PubMed
    Summary

    Allergies puzzle immunologists, with rising prevalence unexplained. Answers may lie in our evolutionary interactions with insects, worms, and snakes, rather than solely in immunology.

    Area of Science:

    • Immunology
    • Ecology
    • Evolutionary Biology

    Background:

    • Allergies are a growing global health concern, yet their underlying causes and increasing prevalence remain incompletely understood by immunologists.
    • Current research often involves complex immunological details and numerous acronyms, potentially obscuring simpler explanations.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To explore alternative hypotheses for the existence and rising prevalence of allergies.
    • To investigate the potential role of ecological and evolutionary factors, specifically human interactions with other species, in allergy development.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of existing immunological research on allergies.
    • Exploration of ecological and evolutionary theories regarding host-parasite interactions and immune system development.

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    Related Experiment Videos

    Last Updated: Apr 16, 2026

    Development of an in vitro model system for studying the interaction of Equus caballus IgE with its high-affinity receptor FcεRI
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    Antigenic Liposomes for Generation of Disease-specific Antibodies
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    Antigenic Liposomes for Generation of Disease-specific Antibodies

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    Zebrafish Animal Model for the Study of Allergic Reactions in Response to Tick Saliva Biomolecules
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  • Analysis of the potential impact of environmental changes and lifestyle shifts on immune responses.

    • Main Results:

    • The study suggests that a deeper understanding of allergies may require looking beyond purely immunological mechanisms.
    • Evidence points towards the importance of early-life exposures and the 'hygiene hypothesis' in shaping immune system development.
    • Evolutionary perspectives highlight how changes in human-microbe and human-parasite interactions could influence allergic disease.

    Conclusions:

    • The increasing prevalence of allergies may be linked to a disconnect from natural environments and a reduced exposure to a diverse range of organisms.
    • Further research integrating immunology with ecology and evolutionary biology is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of allergic diseases.
    • Interdisciplinary approaches are needed to develop effective strategies for allergy prevention and treatment.