Oxidative Stress & The immune System

  Human mast cells are cells that reside in tissue and carry a large amount of histamine and heparin. We want to focus on histamine however, because it is the compound responsible for the immune and inflammatory response. It is also highly present and released by cells that look and function very similarly. These cells are known as basophils. They are a type of white blood cell and only represent .5-1% of white blood cells that circulate our body. These basophils are also closely tied with the immune system and as a whole the allergic response. Since human mast cells are so closely linked with the immune system and its response. They are also responsible for releasing many substances and mediators involved in autoimmune diseases such as asthma, arthritis, multiple sclerosis and many others. Oxidative stress has been shown to be very present in these systems and basophils, it is believed to be an important factor in the start of many immune issues and auto-immune diseases by causing damage and disrupting the normal routine. This overall can lead to the immune system attacking things it shouldn’t or things that are not a threat.