Humans can produce five separate and distinct classes of antibodies. IgE antibodies, which react with the pollens, dusts, dogs, etc. to which we become allergic, are similar to other antibodies in that they are composed of two heavy and two light protein chains connected to one another by chemical bonds. IgE is unique among antibodies, however, in its ability to bind firmly and for a prolonged period of time to two types of cells found in the lining membrane of the nose, mast cells and basophil cells. Without this ability, IgE would cause little or no trouble and you would not have an allergic nose. The IgE antibody is able to attach to these cells because of a special structure called a binding site on one end of its heavy chains. The other end of the IgE molecule also has binding sites that bind to the allergen that triggered its development: pollen, mold, cat protein, etc. This process of allergen binding is highly specific. For example, IgE made to react with ragweed will not react with oak pollen or cat protein but only with ragweed. Your body makes IgE antibodies specifically for each agent to which your nose becomes allergic.
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Another line of research has pinned the blame for Crohn’s disease on substances produced by bacteria that are a normal part of the gut flora. These substances are peptide molecules that happen to act as attractants for certain cells of the immune system. It is believed that most people have bacteria that generate these peptides, but that they can neutralize them, by means of a special enzymes which breaks them down. What goes wrong in Crohn’s disease, according to this theory, is that the patient lacks the enzymes to break down these peptides. It has been shown that the peptides attract the immune cells known as phagocytes (‘eating cells’) and that these come pouring through the gut wall into the intestine. Once there, they can set up an inflammation reaction.
Although interesting, all this research has not resulted in any new form of treatment for Crohn’s disease as yet. The conventional treatment is to use drugs such as corticosteroids to suppress the inflammation. Surgery may also be used if parts of the bowel are so badly scarred that they are causing congestion.
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