Allergic Cascade (cont.)
In this Article
- Who are the "players" in the allergic cascade?
- What about a more detailed look at the "players?"
- What are cytokines?
- What is the "early phase" of an allergic reaction?
- What is the "late phase" of an allergic reaction?
- What are the consequences of the allergic cascade?
- How does understanding the allergic cascade help?
- Allergic Cascade At A Glance
The Allergic Cascade At A Glance
- The allergic response is usually very selective for specific allergens.
- T- and B-lymphocytes play important roles in the allergic reaction.
- Mast cells and basophils release a variety of chemical mediators and cytokines that cause allergic inflammation.
- The immediate or "early" phase allergic reaction is subsequently followed by a more prolonged "late" phase reaction.
- Histamine is an important chemical mediator that causes many of the common allergic symptoms.
- Knowledge of the allergic cascade has resulted in effective treatments for allergy. Future research is aimed at finding new agents that intervene at specific levels of the allergic reaction.
Last Editorial Review: 4/1/2002
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