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

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...

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...

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),...

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...

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Immunophenotyping of apparently immunocompetent hosts with cryptococcosis reveals IL-17 deficiency as a unifying susceptibility factor.

Clinical and experimental immunology·2025

Same author

A multi-centre UK-based survey on angioedema secondary to acquired C1 inhibitor deficiency.

Clinical and experimental immunology·2025

Same author

Novel NFKB2 Pathogenic Variants in Two Unrelated Patients with Common Variable Immunodeficiency.

Journal of clinical immunology·2023

Same author

Outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with primary and secondary immunodeficiency in the UK.

Clinical and experimental immunology·2022

Same author

Clinical spectrum and features of activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase δ syndrome: A large patient cohort study.

The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology·2016

Same author

Primary immunodeficiency associated with chromosomal aberration - an ESID survey.

Orphanet journal of rare diseases·2016

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

An Ex vivo Mast Cell Degranulation Assay using Crude Peritoneal Exudate Cells and Natural Antigen Stimulation

An Ex vivo Mast Cell Degranulation Assay using Crude Peritoneal Exudate Cells and Natural Antigen Stimulation

Published on: April 27, 2021

Carboxymethylcellulose excipient allergy: a case report.

Katherine Townsend¹, James Laffan², Grant Hayman²

¹Immunology and Allergy, St Helier University Hospital NHS Trust, D Block 2nd Floor, Wrythe Lane, Carshalton, SM5 1AA, UK. Katie.townsend5@nhs.net.

Journal of Medical Case Reports

|November 25, 2021

Summary

Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), a common excipient, can trigger severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis. Identifying CMC as an allergen is crucial for preventing future hypersensitivity in both drug and food consumption.

Keywords:

Allergy Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)Case report Excipient Hypersensitivity

More Related Videos

Fabrication of a Crystalline Nanocellulose Embedded Agarose Biomaterial Ink for Bone Marrow-Derived Mast Cell Culture

Fabrication of a Crystalline Nanocellulose Embedded Agarose Biomaterial Ink for Bone Marrow-Derived Mast Cell Culture

Published on: May 11, 2021

Humanized Mediator Release Assay as a Read-Out for Allergen Potency

Humanized Mediator Release Assay as a Read-Out for Allergen Potency

Published on: June 29, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 26, 2026

An Ex vivo Mast Cell Degranulation Assay using Crude Peritoneal Exudate Cells and Natural Antigen Stimulation

An Ex vivo Mast Cell Degranulation Assay using Crude Peritoneal Exudate Cells and Natural Antigen Stimulation

Published on: April 27, 2021

Fabrication of a Crystalline Nanocellulose Embedded Agarose Biomaterial Ink for Bone Marrow-Derived Mast Cell Culture

Fabrication of a Crystalline Nanocellulose Embedded Agarose Biomaterial Ink for Bone Marrow-Derived Mast Cell Culture

Published on: May 11, 2021

Humanized Mediator Release Assay as a Read-Out for Allergen Potency

Humanized Mediator Release Assay as a Read-Out for Allergen Potency

Published on: June 29, 2021

Area of Science:

Food science and pharmaceutical research.
Clinical immunology and allergy diagnostics.

Background:

Excipients like carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) are common in food and pharmaceuticals due to low toxicity.
While generally safe, CMC can rarely cause type 1 hypersensitivity reactions.
Previous reports indicate systemic allergies to CMC in pharmaceuticals and one case of food-induced anaphylaxis.

Observation:

A 45-year-old atopic woman experienced anaphylaxis after a corticosteroid injection containing CMC.
She later developed allergic symptoms upon consuming a drink with CMC.
Skin prick testing with CMC eye drops confirmed the allergy.

Findings:

Confirmed CMC as the causative agent for anaphylaxis in a patient with multiple exposures.
Demonstrated cross-reactivity between pharmaceutical and food-grade CMC.

Implications:

Highlights the need to consider excipients, specifically CMC, as potential allergens.
Emphasizes the importance of thorough allergy assessment for both medications and food products.
Aims to reduce the burden of hypersensitivity reactions from common consumables.