mechanical (redirected from Mechanicals)

me·chan·i·cal (m-kn-kl)

adj.

1. Operated or produced by a mechanism or machine.

2. Relating to, produced by, or dominated by physical forces.

3. Interpreting and explaining the phenomena of the universe by referring to causally determined material forces; mechanistic.

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Patient discussion about Mechanicals.

Q. How does an allergic response occur? I don’t understand the exact mechanism of allergies. Can someone explain this?

A. In the early stages of allergy, a type I hypersensitivity reaction against an allergen, encountered for the first time, causes a response in a type of immune cell called a TH2 lymphocyte, that interact with other lymphocytes called B cells, whose role is production of antibodies. The secreted IgE antibody circulates in the blood and binds to an IgE-specific receptor (a kind of Fc receptor called FceRI) on the surface of other kinds of immune cells called mast cells and basophils, which are both involved in the acute inflammatory response. The IgE-coated cells, at this stage are sensitized to the allergen. If later exposure to the same allergen occurs, the allergen can bind to the IgE molecules held on the surface of the mast cells or basophils and cause a full reaction.