Mechanism of Food Allergy
The mechanism of classical food allergy involves the release of inflammatory mediators after IgE antibodies bind to a mast cell. The sequence of events is as follows:
– Food antigen stimulates a class of lymphocytes called Th2 helper T cells
– These Th2 helper T cells secrete cytokines that instruct B lymphocytes to produce antigen-specific IgE antibodies
– IgE antibodies bind to mast cells and stimulate the release of inflammatory mediators, including histamine
– Inflammation is caused, producing classical allergic symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes, itching, rashes, difficulty breathing etc