Posts

Showing posts from March, 2024

Abzymes, PANoptosis, pyropotsis, apoptosis and necroptosis explained.

First in simple words.   1. PANoptosis Imagine a team made up of members from three different superhero groups, each with their unique powers but working together for a common goal. PANoptosis is like that team for cell death, combining elements from three different ways cells can die or be removed when they're not needed anymore, helping to fight infections or disease. 2. Pyroptosis Think of pyroptosis as a cell exploding like a firework, sending out a signal that something is wrong. This explosion is a way for the body to alert the immune system that there are invaders, like bacteria or viruses, that need to be dealt with. 3. Apoptosis Apoptosis is like a quiet, neat, and tidy way for cells to say goodbye when they're old or not working right, without causing any trouble to the surrounding cells. It's a clean-up process that keeps everything running smoothly. 4. Necroptosis Necroptosis is also about cells dying, but it's messier, like a building ...

The Lymphatic System: Function, Diseases, and Maintenance

The lymphatic system, often likened to the body's drainage network or 'sewerage system' , is crucial for maintaining fluid balance within bodily tissues. It plays a key role in removing fluids and waste products that leak from blood vessels, thereby supporting both general and specific immune responses. This response is critical in preventing blockages in the lymphatic entry ducts.  This intricate network of vessels and nodes moves lymphatic fluid from tissues, safeguarding against the re-entry of viruses, bacteria, and fungi into the circulatory system. Its importance extends to the elimination of dead cells, surplus cytokines, and other wastes from organs, facilitating the breakdown and recycling of these substances in lysosomes. However, when the lymphatic system is compromised, it leads to the accumulation of lymphatic knots and malfunctions in the entry gates, permitting the backflow of waste into the system instead of its efficient removal. Key Functions and Struc...

What are the consequences when IgG4 fails

IgG4-related disease is a condition that can affect multiple organs and parts of the body. It's characterized by the infiltration of IgG4-secreting plasma cells and can lead to the formation of tumor-like swellings in affected organs. The failure or dysregulation of IgG4, therefore, refers to situations where there is an abnormal increase in IgG4 levels or function, contributing to disease development. A high IgG4 level is a crucial marker in the context of diagnosing and understanding IgG4-Related Disease (IgG4-RD). Elevated serum IgG4 concentrations can support the diagnosis of IgG4-RD , especially when considered alongside the appropriate clinical context and symptoms. What is IgG4-RD ? Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a chronic immune-mediated fibroinflammatory disorder that often manifests with tumor-like masses and/or painless enlargement of multiple organs. Serum IgG4 level is often but not always elevated. The consequences of IgG4-related disease can v...

Understanding IgG4 and IgD

 Understanding IgG4: An Overview The Basics of IgG4 Definition and Differentiation: IgG4 is a subclass of the antibody IgG, representing about 4% of the total IgG antibodies in the human body. It's distinctive for its role in indicating allergen exposure levels and its production after prolonged antigen exposure. Unlike other IgG subclasses, a higher IgG4 level may signal positive outcomes in certain contexts. IgG4 IgG4 is a subclass of immunoglobulins, which are crucial components of the immune system. IgG4 is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to participate in immune tolerance. It is the least abundant IgG subclass in the serum under normal conditions. IgG4 can exchange half-molecules with other IgG4 molecules, a process known as "Fab-arm exchange," which renders it functionally monovalent for antigens and possibly less effective in inducing classical immune responses like opsonization or cross-linking antigens. Clinical and Immunological Aspec...