left molecule design right molecule design

molecule icon What is Alpha-gal?

blue molecules

In order to understand Alpha-gal Syndrome, a few other definitions are needed. First, what is alpha-gal? Alpha-gal is short for galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, which explains why it’s shortened to alpha-gal! Alpha-gal is a sugar molecule found in the cells of almost all mammals, except for humans and some primates. Next, what are IgE levels? IgE, or immunoglobulin E (again, thank goodness for shortened medical names), are antibodies the body launches against foreign invaders. High IgE levels indicate an allergic reaction, where, after the antibodies first combat a foreign substance, they remember it and proceed to overreact against it whenever it is introduced into the body.

Alpha-gal Syndrome is an allergy developed to alpha-gal cells triggered by a tick bite. Humans, not having the alpha-gal molecule in their cell membranes, produce antibodies for alpha-gal cells from infancy. When ticks have blood-fed, they sometimes gain exposure to these alpha-gal cells which they can then transmit to a human host. The human host’s antibodies sometimes identify the alpha-gal cells from the tick as pathogenic and therefore launch an attack. Since alpha-gal is in basically all mammals, the antibodies produced from fighting the alpha-gal cells in the tick bite reactivate whenever animal products are introduced to the person who suffered the tick bite.

Scientists remain unclear as to why some people react adversely to the introduction to alpha-gal in the bloodstream versus others who seem to be more tolerant, although blood type, microbiome makeup, and alpha-gal IgE count hold some possibilities. Alpha-gal Syndrome causes a reaction to mammalian products, usually to red meat that is consumed but can also include other non-food products. Alpha-gal Syndrome is on the rise, with ticks and tick-bourne illnesses becoming a greater issue each year. Much is still unknown about Alpha-gal Syndrome, and research is needed to help understand and solve this illness.

Sources:

Wear the Hat Support the Research
molecules