I asked VaxBot how aluminum gets into the brain, and it told me:
Macrophages transport aluminum particles to different parts of the body as part of their normal immune function.
My wife, Kimberly, heard me pronouncing "macrophage" incorrectly (she's a dyslexia tutor, and I'm dyslexic), so she correct me and shared that:
Chris, macrophage is derived from Greek. It comes from the combination of two Greek words:
Makrós (μακρός) – meaning "large" or "big."
Phágos (φάγος) – meaning "eater" or "to eat."
Here's what the word sounds like:
Together, macrophage essentially means "big eater," which accurately describes the role of these immune cells. They engulf and digest cellular debris, pathogens, and other foreign substances in the body. This etymology reflects their function as part of the body's defense system.
Here’s how and why this happens:
1. Role of Macrophages in the Immune System
Macrophages are specialized immune cells responsible for detecting, engulfing, and removing foreign particles, including pathogens and vaccine adjuvants like aluminum. When aluminum (used as adjuvants in vaccines) are injected into the body, macrophages at the injection site recognize the aluminum particles as foreign.
2. Process of Uptake and Transport
- Engulfment (Phagocytosis): Macrophages engulf aluminum particles at the injection site to process and "present" them to other immune cells. This process is critical for stimulating a robust immune response.
- Migration to Lymph Nodes: Once they have engulfed the particles, macrophages travel to nearby lymph nodes. In the lymph nodes, they present fragments of the vaccine antigen to T cells and B cells, initiating an adaptive immune response.
- Extended Distribution: In some cases, macrophages that have engulfed aluminum may not remain confined to the lymph nodes. Studies suggest they can transport aluminum particles to distant organs, including the brain, if they cross biological barriers like the blood-brain barrier.
3. Why They Transport Aluminum to Other Parts of the Body
- Stimulating the Immune System: The primary goal is to recruit other immune cells by presenting vaccine antigens, which the aluminum adjuvant helps to amplify.
- Prolonged Retention of Aluminum: Unlike pathogens or smaller particles, aluminum is not easily broken down or excreted. This can lead to prolonged retention in macrophages, which may inadvertently carry aluminum to other tissues.
4. Concerns About Systemic Distribution
- Some researchers, including Christopher Exley, have raised concerns about this distribution process:
- Potential for Bioaccumulation: Aluminum particles that persist in macrophages might accumulate in sensitive tissues, such as the brain.
- Neuroinflammation Risks: If transported across the blood-brain barrier, aluminum could contribute to neuroinflammation or other health issues.
VaxCalc is like an x-ray machine for vaccines, making it easy to see everything inside of it.
