Comment on Anon gets /fit/
shreddy_scientist@lemmy.ml 1 month agoIt’s no picnic, parasites are burly! The Th2 adaptive immune response for worms, our only parasite response, is only good with small initial infections. But since the side effects are relatively mild considering all parasites, it’s not a big area of focus.
Fun fact: The same response for parasites causes allergies. You can never be allergic when it’s your first exposure either. But a less hygenic environment as a kid greatly redices the risk of developing allergies.
ryannathans@aussie.zone 1 month ago
If I have mast cell activation syndrome, am I less likely to get parasites then?
shreddy_scientist@lemmy.ml 1 month ago
Yep! Mast cells are activated when IgE antibodies bind to a mast cell receptor. When IgE then binds to the one object it was designed to find, you get mast cell degranulation. This releases histamines along with a few other chemicals. Degranulation is our immune defense against parasites, so you got a head start for parasite defense for sure! But desensitization can be achieved, which makes IgG antibodies bind to the foreign object before IgE has the chance. I’d think this could be a possible treatment for the syndrome.
Do you also have asthma? The same IgE’s also bind to eosinophil’s. Mast cell degranulation in the lungs leads to acute asthma, whereas when eosinophil’s join the party it causes airway remodeling, aka chronic asthma.
ryannathans@aussie.zone 1 month ago
I don’t have asthma. I don’t even think I have any IgE involvement. My total IgE tests at low/normal levels, I don’t seem to have eosinophil involvement that I am aware of. I haven’t even had anaphylaxis before. Though my mast cells constantly degranulate in response to histamine liberators like pepper, chilli, tomato, mustard or triggers like vibrations (shower water on my skin or electric toothbrush), or like laundry scents or perfumes or quick temperature fluctuations. Gives me maad fatigue, lots of hintamine release, blood thinning, etc. Have to avoid triggers and take a bunch of things I found that stabilise mast cells and then I feel good. I have mutations in my methylation and metabolism genes which drains my (acetyl)choline too so probably related somehow.
shreddy_scientist@lemmy.ml 1 month ago
While there’s no free floating IgE in your system, to degranulate mast cells need IgE bound to their surface. Thats the activation aspect. Since you need mast cells, it’s not exactly something you can turn off. Glad you know the triggers at least, gives you the opportunity to make moves accordingly!