Reagin (Noun)
Meaning
An immunoglobulin E that is formed as an antibody against allergens (such as pollen); attaches to cell membranes causing the release of histamine and other substances responsible for the local inflammation characteristic of an allergy.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- The majority of reagin is found in the blood, attached to mast cells, and it is this cell attachment that triggers allergic reactions.
- Reagin concentrations are commonly elevated in patients suffering from various types of allergies, particularly asthma and eczema.
- In allergic patients, reagin bound to mast cell surfaces releases histamine when in contact with an allergen, promoting allergic symptoms.
- It is reagin that ultimately determines the intensity of allergic reactions by instigating the release of various chemical mediators, including histamine.
- Scientists measure the concentrations of reagin in serum to determine the likelihood that an individual has an allergy to certain substances.