Anaphylotoxin, pronounced /ˌænəˌfaɪləˈtɑksɪn/, is a lengthy and complex term used to describe a molecule that triggers anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction. Its spelling can be broken down into several components: "ana-" meaning against, "phyl-" meaning love, and "-toxin" meaning poison. The IPA phonetic transcription helps to understand the various sounds and accents in the word, which can be challenging to read and pronounce correctly without assistance. Accurate spelling of complex terms such as anaphylotoxin is essential in scientific and medical contexts to avoid misunderstandings and misinterpretations.
Anaphylotoxins are a group of small, soluble proteins or peptides that are produced as a result of complement activation, and play a crucial role in mediating the acute inflammatory response in allergic reactions. They belong to the complement system, a group of proteins that target and eliminate pathogens from the body.
These anaphylatoxins are generated when the complement cascade is activated, usually in response to foreign substances or allergens entering the body. The primary anaphylatoxins include C3a, C4a, and C5a, which are derived from the cleavage of complement component 3 (C3), complement component 4 (C4), and complement component 5 (C5), respectively.
When released, anaphylatoxins bind to their specific receptors present on various immune cells, such as mast cells, basophils, and neutrophils. Binding to their receptors triggers a series of cellular responses, including degranulation of mast cells, release of histamine and other chemical mediators, and recruitment of inflammatory cells. These reactions contribute to the typical symptoms seen in allergy, such as itching, swelling, redness, and increased vascular permeability.
Anaphylotoxins also have the ability to amplify the inflammatory response by recruiting and activating immune cells, which further promotes and sustains the allergic reaction. In addition, they can modulate the functioning of immune cells, including phagocytes and lymphocytes, leading to alterations in immune response regulation.
Overall, anaphylotoxins are essential components of the immune system's defense mechanism against foreign substances. However, in the context of allergic reactions, they can also contribute to the harmful hypersensitivity response.
Anaphylatoxin.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "anaphylotoxin" has its roots in Greek and Latin.
1. "Ana-" is a prefix derived from the Greek word "ana", meaning "up, back, or again".
2. "Phylo" is derived from the Greek word "phylon", meaning "race" or "kind".
3. "Toxin" comes from the Latin word "toxicum", which means "poison".
When combining these roots, "anaphylotoxin" essentially means "something that poisons or is toxic upon being encountered again or after a previous exposure". The term specifically refers to substances that are released during certain immune responses, causing symptoms of allergy or hypersensitivity reactions.