kryssreaktivitet

Kryssreaktivitet, sometimes spelled cross-reactivity, refers to the immunological reaction in which an antibody raised against a specific antigen also reacts with another structurally similar antigen. This phenomenon is important in various biological and medical contexts. In allergy, it means that a person allergic to one substance might experience allergic reactions to other, related substances due to the similarity in their molecular structures. For example, someone with a severe allergy to birch pollen might also react to apples, peaches, or carrots because the proteins in these foods share similar epitopes with birch pollen proteins. This is often referred to as pollen-food allergy syndrome or oral allergy syndrome.

In immunology research and diagnostics, cross-reactivity can be both a challenge and a useful tool. When developing antibodies for specific targets, researchers must consider potential cross-reactivity with other molecules to ensure the accuracy of their assays. Conversely, cross-reactive antibodies can sometimes be used to detect related antigens or to study the structural similarities between different molecules. In drug development, cross-reactivity can lead to unwanted side effects if a drug designed to target one molecule also binds to and affects other, unintended targets. Understanding and managing cross-reactivity is crucial for accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and the development of safe and specific biological tools.