Scientists have found a molecule that intensifies allergic reactions which could mean they can reduce the risk of children suffering serious allergic reactions to food such as peanuts.
The team of researchers from Glasgow University have also created a biological agent which they hope can reduce allergy symptoms.
Their work,published in the Proceedings of the National Association of Sciences of the USA (PNAS) journal, could dramatically reduce the number of fatal cases of anaphylactic shock, or severe allergic reaction, across the world.
Many different things can cause allergic reactions. Common food which can cause problems include peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, fish, shellfish, dairy products and eggs. People can also suffer allergies to wasp or bee stings, rubber, penicillin and many other drugs or injections. The symptoms sufferers may experience include generalised flushing, skin reactions and breathing difficulties. In severe cases cardiac arrest and death can occur, which is why researchers are battling to learn how to prevent allergies.
In the UK alone 500,000 people are thought to have an acute food allergy and we have the highest prevalence of allergies in Europe. Allergic reactions are treated with adrenaline and those thought to be at risk of a severe reaction are prescribed pre-loaded adrenaline injection kits, often known as EpiPens.
This latest research is a world-first. The team, led by Dr Alirio Melendez and Professor Eddy Liew, found that the novel cytokine (immune hormone), IL-33, plays a significant role in the development of anaphylaxis.
By studying patients who had experienced anaphylaxis during surgery they were able to discover that IL-33 was involved in the anaphylactic shock and has allowed the scientists to discover how to intervene to reduce the severity of the reaction.
Dr Melendez said: “An anaphylactic shock prompts a massive inflammatory reaction which often is so severe that it constricts breathing. In our study we found that the severity of the shock is linked to the IL-33 molecule, which acts as an amplifier to the inflammatory reaction. This can lead to a fatal constriction of the airway and, ultimately, death.”
The scientists then went on to develop a mouse model which shows that by blocking the IL-33 molecule reduces the severity of an anaphylactic shock. They are now continuing their study and are going to be investigating in more depth allergic reactions specific to food, venoms and medicinal drugs.