Why do food allergies occur?

Why do food allergies occur?

“According to a 2013 study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies in children increased by about 50% between 1997 and 2011.” (FARE) Food allergies have always existed, but we still don't know exactly why they develop in our bodies. There are many theories that seem to be on the right track to finding a true reason for the cause of allergies, but until then we will rely on all the expert opinions.

Immune systems protect our bodies by producing special proteins called antibodies that identify potential threats in our bodies. They signal our immune system to release chemicals to kill these threats. A food allergy occurs when the immune system overreacts and misidentifies proteins in food as a threat, indicating the release of chemicals that cause food reactions to kill them. In most food allergies, the immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody recognizes proteins in food as a threat. It can release many harmful chemicals, including histamine. Histamine is a major cause of many symptoms of allergic reactions, such as: B. Expansion of small blood vessels, swelling and redness of the surrounding skin, itching and increased mucus production in the nasal mucosa, causing itching and burning. There is also another type of food allergy called “non-IgE-mediated food allergy” which is caused by different cells in the immune system. These are usually harder to detect because there are no tests to confirm their presence. This type of allergy usually only affects the skin and digestive system. This can lead to symptoms such as heartburn, indigestion and eczema, although it can also cause diarrhea and reflux in babies. Antibodies are Y-shaped protein molecules made up of several different regions, all of which have important components for neutralizing pathogens, including invaders such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and toxins. They are divided into two heavy protein chains and two light protein chains. These chains are further divided into three sections as shown in the picture: blue, green and orange. In total, the protein chains comprise 12 domains.

The heavy protein chains consist of 2 constant domains of CH1, CH2 and CH3 and variable VH, while the light protein chains consist of 2 constant domains of CL and variable VL. The antigen binding site consists of the CDR loops L1, L2 and L3 (complementary determining regions) and the loops H1, H2 and H3. But how do antibodies work? There are three ways they work. They either bind to the pathogen to prevent it from harming other healthy cells, they stimulate other parts of the immune system, such as complement proteins, to destroy it, or they mark pathogens through a process called opsonization, which allows other immune cells to identify and attack it. The first method is called antigen binding. Antibodies have two antigen binding sites where they bind to antigens. The size and shape of the finger-like loops determine which pathogens they can hold on to. This is necessary because during opsonization... both membranes of the phagocytes that attack the pathogens have a negative charge, so they naturally repel each other. When they attach, the antibody also attaches its Fc region, or “tail,” to the phagocyte to neutralize the cargo, allowing the phagocyte and pathogen to be in close proximity to each other. A typical way pathogens are eliminated during opsonization is phagocytosis. During phagocytosis, white blood cells surround pathogens and then move into their own membranes to finish them off with enzymes. The problem is that the membranes of phagocytes and pathogens are both negatively charged, meaning they repel each other. The antibody is also able to stimulate the phagocyte, making it more efficient.

Inspired by Abraham I Castro