You Can Be Allergic To Vibration

How Does Allergic Reactions Occur?

Allergic reaction is a type of condition where the immune system reacts differently to a foreign substance. It is the body's way of responding to protect foreign substances from attacking harmful agents such as bacteria and or toxins. When it is overreacted a certain stimuli causes the mast cells (white blood cells) and the skin to release histamine and inflammtory chemicals into the bloodstream  which may cause major skin reactions.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) discovered  an unusual gene mutation that triggers an irregualar response to vibration. It stimulates mast cells and inflammatory chemicals from the immune system causing an allergic reaction. Researchers from the National Institute of Health, studied on three families who have experienced this disorder. They concluded that, a single gene mutation in the ADGRE2 gene shared among the family members caused skin rashess and hives when exposed to any type of vibration. The ADGRE2 gene is a type of protein where the alpa and beta subunits interact closely together, but people with vibration allergy the beta subunit produces signals inside the mast cells that leads into breakdown of the white blood cells. The NIH team is considering on finding out what happens to the alpha subunits after vibration. Future plans are taking into consideration to learn more about this disorder. 

It was interesting to understand the interaction between physical stimulus and how it affects the mast cells with certain mutated genes. It shows that, any unusual responses in our body can lead into severe allergic reactions that we may not ever think of. Genetics associated with allergic reactions is benefical to understand how various types of proteins potentially cause major health defects. 

Mice's reaction to Ebola

While some who are exposed to Ebola gets sick and die, others are able to recover despite being gravely ill. Researchers are now studying the response of mice being exposed to the virus. Study shows the response are determined by the difference in genes.

Scientists breed mice that develop Ebola infections that resembles those in humans. For instance, like two-thirds of the humans who died from Ebola without experiencing hemorrhages, many mice also died without hemorrhages. The studies show the animals who hemorrhage died from their immune system overreacting to the virus. This triggers an inflammatory response causing cells to leak out fluids and white blood cells; making organs and tissues to deteriorate. This is the stage where many people died; for those who survived, their blood eventually seep out of the vessels.

Although the exact genetic reason for why mice have such variant reactions in their response to the Ebola virus has not be pinpointed; two genes have been identified that seem crucial to determine whether the mouse would survive through the infection, die, or not be affected at all.

This article caught my interest because according to the article, researchers have only begun using mice to study Ebola. Prior to mice testing the scientists were using guinea pigs; because the mouse strain that were usually used for testing did not get an Ebola infection that mimics how humans reacted. These research are one step closer for finding a cure for the virus; hopefully a vaccine can be develop before the virus show any signs of mutation.

Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/31/health/genes-influence-ebola-infections-in-mice-study-suggests.html?_r=0

Related article: http://www.futurity.org/mice-ebola-vaccines-795802/