> To: immunology at net.bio.net> Subject: ALLERGIES: Chemical Reactions?
> From: beth at hiram.edu> Date sent: 26 Apr 94 11:23:04 -0500
> Hello! I am searching for information about allergies. I am particularly
> interested in the chemistry behind them. Are certain allergies caused by
> chemical reactions within the blood? I don't know where to look. I am an
> undergraduate and have 1 text on immunology, but it does not go into detail.
> The library at my school has not been helpful either. They have no recent
> journals and very few books on the subject. Any help would be greatly
> appreciated! Please send e-mail responses. Thanks! -Beth
>> Beth Galvin
> Hiram College
>beth at hirama.hiram.edu> Beth,
As far as I know from my immunology course allergies are caused be
reactions with Ig E antibodies attached to Mast Cells that recognize
things like pollen or insect venoms as antigens and bind with them.
This stimulates the rupture of the mast cells and the release of
histamines and other substances which will cause the allergy
symptoms. You will probably get more detailed responses than this
but I hope it helps.
Brian Palmer
Boise State University
palm7665 at varney.idbsu.edu
> >