process of mast cell degranulation
When the allergic individual is reexposed to the same allergen that initiated the response, the IgE is able to bind to that allergen. When two IgE antibodies next to each other bind to the antigen, this interaction âwigglesâ the membrane and causes the degranulation of the mast cell or basophil. Degranulation means the breaking down of the mast cell or basophil. As degranulation occurs, it causes the mast cell or basophil to release a series of chemicals that orchestrate the allergic reaction. Within every mast cell or basophil are 500 to 1500 granules containing more than thirty different allergy-causing chemicals. The best known chemical that is released is histamine.