Category: Allergies

Categories : Allergies VaccinesTags :

New mRNA Vaccine Could Prevent Seasonal and Food Allergies

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A new mRNA vaccine stopped allergens from causing dangerous immune reactions and life-threatening inflammation in mice, according to researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Cincinnati Children’s. The vaccine, outlined in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, may one day be tested and tailored to a variety of seasonal and food allergies.

“This is a potential breakthrough for millions of people worldwide who suffer from life-threatening allergies,” said Nobel laureate Drew Weissman, MD, PhD, Professor in Vaccine Research at Penn and co-lead of the study with Cincinnati Children’s Marc E. Rothenberg, MD, PhD.

Weissman, Penn colleagues Jilian Melamed, PhD, an assistant professor of Infectious Diseases, Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh, PhD, an assistant professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and the Cincinnati Children’s researchers led by Marc E. Rothenberg, MD, PhD, director of the division of Allergy and Immunology, modelled this new vaccine on the design of the COVID-19 mRNA lipid nanoparticle (LNP) vaccines.

This time, however, scientists tweaked the mRNA to instruct cells to produce proteins that resemble certain allergens. By presenting these proteins in a controlled way, the vaccine didn’t cause allergic reactions but did instruct the immune system to respond more appropriately in the future. And, when mice were later exposed to the respective allergens, the vaccines worked.

When mice with specific allergies were exposed to the allergens, none of the mice vaccinated with the respective allergy vaccine had an allergic reaction. Vaccinated mice had fewer allergy-related white blood cells, made fewer inflammation-causing proteins, and their lungs produced less mucus. Their airways were also protected against narrowing, which often happens during asthma, and they made special antibodies that protected against allergic reactions.

A platform with broad potential

Unlike traditional allergy shots, which involve repeated administration of purified allergens over months or years, the mRNA-based approach offers a more flexible solution. Because the mRNA can be tailored to encode proteins from different allergens, the platform could be adapted to treat a wide range of allergic conditions—from seasonal pollen allergies to food sensitivities and asthma. Additionally, many severe food allergies do not have vaccines to protect against severe allergic reactions.

“People with food allergies that can cause anaphylactic shock are rightfully fearful in social situations, eating out in public, sharing food, and engaging in other fun activities where there are food and allergens around,” said Weissman. “Allowing people to partake in foods they were never able to eat would be incredibly rewarding, but I’ll even be happy if we can one day introduce a vaccine that allows parents to breathe just a little easier when sending their kids to class birthday parties.”

The study represents a proof-of-concept that mRNA vaccines can be used not only to prevent infectious diseases but also to adjust immune responses in chronic conditions like allergies and even celiac disease. Researchers say the next steps include testing the vaccine’s safety in humans, determining how many allergens can be included in a single dose, and evaluating how long protection lasts.

“We saw mRNA vaccines save lives during the pandemic, and as the most-tested type of vaccine in history, we know it’s the safest and most effective vaccine ever created,” said Weissman. “We are deeply committed to continuing to uncover the potential of this technology.”

Source: Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Categories : Allergies Mental HealthTags :

Allergy Season Linked to an Increase in Suicide Risk

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Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels

Beyond the sneezing and itchy eyes, high pollen seasons are now linked to a significant increase in suicide risk. A new University of Michigan study found a 7.4% jump in deaths, suggesting the physical discomfort of allergies may trigger a deeper, more dangerous despair, an overlooked factor in suicide prevention.

The study indicates that allergies’ physiological effects, such as poor sleep and mental distress, may contribute to this increased risk.

“A small shock could have a big effect if you’re already in a vulnerable state,” said Joelle Abramowitz, associate research scientist at U-M’s Institute for Social Research. “We looked specifically at pollen from all different kinds of plants, including trees, weeds and grasses.”

The effect is incremental. Researchers divided pollen levels into four tiers and found the suicide risk rose with each group: it increased by 4.5% in the second level, 5.5% in the third and peaked at 7.4% in the fourth and highest category.

The study, funded by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and U-M ISR, combines daily pollen data from 186 counties of 34 metropolitan areas across the United States, with suicide data from the National Violent Death Reporting System between 2006 and 2018.

Abramowitz and co-authors Shooshan Danagoulian and Owen Fleming of Wayne State University said that while structural factors for suicide are well-researched, short-term triggers are less understood. Pollen allergies are an ideal subject for this research, considering they are an exogenous shock – meaning they are external and not caused by an individual’s mental health status.

“During our study period, there were nearly 500 000 suicides in the US,” Abramowitz said. “Based on our incremental data, we estimate that pollen may have been a contributing factor in up to 12 000 of those deaths over the period, or roughly 900 to 1200 deaths per year.”

Vulnerable populations

Published in the Journal of Health Economics, the study also found that individuals with a known mental health condition or who had received prior mental health treatment had an 8.6% higher incidence of suicide on days with the highest pollen levels. White men strongly drive the effect, but the study also found an unexpectedly high vulnerability among Black individuals.

“While our study’s data comes from the U.S., our findings likely apply globally,” Abramowitz said. “This is supported by earlier research that found similar relationships in locations like Tokyo and Denmark. Our results, therefore, provide crucial new evidence that this phenomenon is a consistent, worldwide trend.”

Public health and awareness

The focus should be on public health and education, as reducing the number of pollen-producing plants isn’t a viable option, the researchers suggest. This includes more accurate pollen forecasting and better public communication. Providing people with clear, timely information about high-pollen days allows them to take proactive steps. Additional recommendations are limiting outdoor activities, wearing a mask or having antihistamines on hand.

There is also a need for a broader approach to mental health awareness, the authors said. Health care providers, particularly those in primary care, can benefit from understanding the connection between environmental factors, such as pollen, and patient well-being. This knowledge could help them tailor care more effectively, especially for vulnerable patients, and serve as a prompt to discuss mental health and stress management during high-pollen seasons or other periods of environmental stress.

“We should be more conscious of our responsiveness to small environmental changes, such as pollen, and our mental health in general,” Abramowitz said. “Given our findings, I believe medical providers should be aware of a patient’s allergy history, as other research has also established a connection between allergies and a higher risk for suicide. I hope this research can lead to more tailored care and, ultimately, save lives.”

The authors predict that as climate change extends and intensifies the pollen season, the impact of allergies on suicide rates could more than double by the end of the century.

Source: University of Michigan

Categories : Allergies Lab Tests and ImagingTags :

From Symptoms to Solutions: Professional Testing Can Reveal Hidden Allergens

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As spring arrives in South Africa, many people experience their most challenging allergy season. However, while pollen-filled air triggers obvious seasonal symptoms, allergies extend far beyond springtime discomfort, affecting millions year-round through food sensitivities, skin reactions, and environmental triggers.

“Spring allergies are usually just the tip of the iceberg,” says Tyron Hansen, Business Development Manager at BioSmart Lab. “You wake to spring sunshine and nature in full bloom, but instead of enjoying it, you’re shut inside with tissues and antihistamines. Meanwhile, your stomach acts up after breakfast, and that mysterious rash on your arms is back. Sound familiar?”

Hansen explains that many people assume that their symptoms stem from a single source, like pollen or food preservatives. However, BioSmart Lab’s test results often reveal they’ve actually been living with multiple triggers they never connected to their symptoms.

Why It’s Worth Looking Deeper

Professional allergen tests measure specific antibodies in your blood to identify how your body reacts to different substances. This matters because what looks like “seasonal” hay fever might actually be a mix of environmental, food, and even skin-related triggers.

“Our immune systems are like complicated alarm systems,” explains Hansen. “They go off loudly, but without proper testing, you only hear the siren – you don’t see what’s actually setting it off.”

A major source of confusion is the difference between allergies and intolerances. Both of which can make you feel unwell, but function very differently:

  • Allergies: They set off the immune system through immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, causing anything from a runny nose or itchy eyes to potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis, often within minutes of exposure.
  • Intolerances: These don’t set off your immune system, but they can still cause digestive discomfort like bloating or nausea, and while not dangerous, they can nevertheless affect daily life.

“Knowing which is which can be the key to finally feeling better,” he adds.

Everyday Triggers You Might Be Missing

Allergies aren’t always obvious or seasonal. Many people live with daily discomfort without realising what’s behind it. Hansen provides some of the most common sources of ongoing allergic reactions.

  • Environmental triggers: Dust mites, mould spores, pet dander, and certain plants can cause year-round congestion, itchy eyes, or skin flare-ups.
  • Food sensitivities: That heavy, bloated feeling after meals could point to, for example, wheat, rice and corn sensitivity, or even certain food combinations.
  • Skin reactions: Chronic eczema or rashes are sometimes triggered by hidden allergens, not simply “sensitive skin.”
  • Allergic clues in children: Kids often can’t articulate their symptoms. What might appear to be frequent colds, skin rashes, or trouble concentrating could be subtle signs of allergies.

“Trying to figure out if your symptoms are caused by allergens through elimination diets, behavioural adjustments, or symptom tracking can take months and still leave you without answers, notes Hansen. “Blood-based testing provides a faster alternative by measuring IgE antibodies – the proteins your immune system releases when it detects threats.”

Taking Back Control

BioSmart Lab’s advanced blood panels analyse these IgE proteins across multiple allergens simultaneously. These tests can be purchased online and provide accurate, quantitative results without the risk of sparking reactions or being influenced by medication use.

Some people discover that they need to remove wheat to manage food allergies. Others learn that their “pet allergy” is actually a dust mite sensitivity. Parents often find their child’s mid-afternoon meltdowns are directly linked to specific food triggers at lunch.

“The goal isn’t just to manage symptoms – it’s to restore people’s quality of life,” emphasises Hansen. “Once you understand what your body is reacting to, you can move from frustrating guesswork to making informed choices, giving you control of your health back,” he concludes.

For more information about BioSmart’s allergy testing options, visit https://biosmart.com/allergy-tests/.

Categories : Allergies PaediatricsTags :

Eliminating the Risk of Anaphylaxis from Children’s Peanut Allergy Desensitisation

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Oral immunotherapy helps many children with peanut allergy – but for some, it can also trigger severe allergic reactions. In the journal Allergy, a team led by Young-Ae Lee explains what might be behind these differences and how treatment could become more personalised.

Peanut allergy is one of the most common – and most dangerous – food allergies. Tiny amounts of the protein-rich legumes can be enough to cause allergic reactions like itching and swelling, or even life-threatening anaphylaxis. For a long time, the only solution was to avoid peanuts as vigilantly as possible. Since many foods may contain traces of peanuts, that’s still a major challenge, especially for parents of affected children. Emergency medication must always be close at hand.

Recently, oral desensitisation has become available for children with peanut allergies. “Some children respond well to this treatment, but others don’t benefit at all,” says Professor Young-Ae Lee, Group Leader of the Molecular Genetics of Allergic Diseases lab at the Max Delbrück Center. “In some cases, the therapy – based on gradually increasing doses of peanut allergens – can even trigger anaphylactic reactions.”

A team led by Lee and Professor Kirsten Beyer, Head of the Pediatric Allergy Clinical Research Center at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, has now investigated why children respond so differently to the therapy and how to make it safer and more effective. Their study, published in “Allergy,” was led by first author Dr Aleix Arnau-Soler, a scientist in Lee’s lab. “We looked for molecular changes in the immune systems of children undergoing oral immunotherapy ¬– and we found them,” explains Arnau-Soler.

Gut immune cells play a key role

For their study, the researchers analyzed blood samples from 38 children, with an average age of seven, who were undergoing oral desensitization for peanut allergy at Charité. The team measured levels of immunoglobulins, which are allergy-related antibodies, and cytokines, which are inflammatory messengers, before and after therapy. 

Our results open the door to personalised approaches to treating peanut allergy – which affects three per cent of all children in industrialised countries – more effectively and safely in the future.

Young-Ae LeeHead of the “Molecular Genetics of Chronic Inflammation and Allergic Disease” lab

They also assessed how much peanut protein each child could tolerate before and after treatment – essentially, how successful the desensitization was. To delve deeper, they used modern omics technologies to identify which genes in the children’s immune cells were activated when they were exposed to peanut proteins in the lab.

“Children who responded well to the therapy already had a less reactive immune system before treatment began. Their blood showed lower levels of immunoglobulins and cytokines,” explains Arnau-Soler. These findings could help identify in advance which children are most likely to benefit from desensitization – and those who are at higher risk of side effects.

The team also found consistent differences in gene expression and DNA methylation patterns between children who responded well and those who didn’t. Methylation plays a key role in regulating gene activity. “These differences were particularly pronounced in certain immune cells that are rarely found in the blood, but more common in the gut, where they perform important functions,” says Arnau-Soler. These included both specialized T cells, part of the adaptive immune system, and cells involved in the body’s innate defenses.

New biomarkers pave the way for personalized therapy

“Our results open the door to personalized approaches to treating peanut allergy – which affects three percent of all children in industrialized countries – more effectively and safely in the future,” says Lee. “We now have potential biomarkers to find out how well a child will respond to the therapy and what risks are associated with it in each individual case, even before the therapy begins.” It may soon be possible to tailor the length of treatment and the amount of peanut allergen given to each child’s unique immune profile.

The team is currently working to validate their findings in a follow-up study. They also plan to further investigate the gut-associated immune cells found in blood. “At the same time, we’re developing a predictive model so that in the future we can use a simple blood test to better tailor oral desensitization to the individual child,” adds Arnau-Soler. That could make peanut allergy far less frightening for families.

Source: Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine

Categories : AllergiesTags :

Nasal ‘Molecular Shield’ May Soon Treat a Common Pollen Allergy

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Approximately 40% of the European population are allergic to pollen, and their symptoms cause an estimated loss of 100 million school- and workdays every year. The prevalence of hay fever has been surging for decades and this is likely to continue – a change so fast that genetic and health changes can’t be solely responsible. Improved hygiene, the widespread use of antibiotics and antiseptics, lifestyle changes, diet, pollution, and the climate crisis are also thought to play a major role in this increase.

But now there is new hope for sufferers. As proof-of-principle, researchers have engineered an antibody from mice, which when applied to the inside of the nose stops mice from developing hay fever and asthma symptoms in response to mugwort pollen. Mugwort is the most common cause of pollen allergies in central Asia and parts of Europe, where between 10% and 15% of people with hay fever are allergic to it. The article was published in Frontiers in Immunology.

“This is the first time a monoclonal antibody designed to block a specific pollen allergen has been delivered directly into the nose, and been shown to protect against allergy symptoms in the upper and lower airways,” said Prof Kaissar Tabynov, the director of the International Center for Vaccinology at the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University (KazNARU) in Almaty, and the study’s senior author.

“In the future, similar antibodies could be developed for other major pollen allergens, such as ragweed or grass. This opens the door to a new generation of precision allergy treatments that are fast-acting, needle-free, and tailored to individual allergen sensitivities.”

‘Molecular shield’

Traditional treatment is allergen-specific immunotherapy: patients are exposed to gradually increasing doses of the allergen, until they become desensitised. However, this doesn’t work for all patients, and in recent decades, so-called ‘allergen-specific monoclonal antibody therapy’ has increasingly come to the fore as an alternative.

In allergen-specific monoclonal antibody therapy, researchers engineer antibodies of the IgG class, which either specifically recognise the allergen itself and block it, or bind to IgE antibodies in general. In either case, this prevents the allergen from triggering an allergic reaction. A disadvantage is that typically, these antibodies needed to be injected into the bloodstream – until now.

“Our method acts immediately and locally at the lining of the nose, by neutralising the allergen on contact. This ‘molecular shield’ not only prevents IgE antibodies from being activated, but may also reduce inflammation through other mechanisms, such as calming immune cell responses and promoting regulatory pathways,” explained Tabynov.

The researchers injected mice with a dose of mugwort pollen, stimulating them to produce antibodies against it. The mice were then humanely euthanised and their spleens harvested to isolate white blood cells. The use of mice was approved by the local Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, under the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The white blood cells were then fused with laboratory-grown cancer cells from mice with multiple myeloma. This yielded five immortal ‘hybridoma’ cell lines which each secreted a single type (hence ‘monoclonal’) of antibody against mugwort pollen. A suite of diagnostic tests showed that the most powerful was produced by hybridoma cell line XA19, which was selected for further development.

Reduction in allergy symptoms

To test their efficacy, purified antibodies from XA19 were administered to the interior of the nose of five mice, which had been stimulated to become allergic to mugwort pollen through injections of pollen extract. Five additional mice served as positive control: they had been similarly sensitized but received a placebo. A further five mice were the negative control, neither sensitized to the pollen nor given monoclonal antibodies. Three weeks later, all mice were exposed three times under anaesthesia to an aerosol of mugwort pollen, as well as to pollen extract delivered directly inside the nose.

The results showed that the sensitized mice given the XA19 antibody displayed a major reduction in allergy symptoms compared to controls: for example, they showed a weaker ear swelling response to the pollen (a common allergic reaction in rodents); they rubbed their nose less frequently, indicating less irritation of the upper airways; their full lung capacity was preserved upon exposure to the pollen; and they showed less inflammation inside the nostrils. Inside the lungs, levels of two inflammation-promoting molecules called cytokines were likewise reduced.

The researchers concluded that the monoclonal antibody from XA19 is effective in blocking allergic reactions against mugwort pollen triggered by IgE, at least in mice.

“Before this treatment can be tested in people, we need to adapt the antibody to make it suitable for humans – a process called ‘humanisation’ – and conduct additional preclinical safety and efficacy studies,” said Tabynov.

“If these are successful and provided we have adequate support, we could begin clinical trials in two to three years, though bringing it to market would likely take five to seven years. We are already planning for this transition and working on scaling up production.”

Source: Frontiers

Categories : Allergies Respiratory DiseasesTags :

Inflammatory Cells Remain in the Blood After Treatment of Severe Asthma with Biologics

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Biological drugs have improved the lives of many people with severe asthma. However, a new study from Karolinska Institutet shows that some immune cells with high inflammatory potential are not completely eradicated after treatment.

Biological drugs have become an important tool in the treatment of severe asthma. 

“They help most patients to keep their symptoms under control, but exactly how these drugs affect the immune system has so far remained unknown,” says Valentyna Yasinska, consultant in pulmonary medicine at Karolinska University Hospital and doctoral student at Karolinska Institutet’s Department of Medicine in Huddinge.

Increased in blood

In a new study published in the scientific journal Allergy, researchers at Karolinska Institutet have explored what happens to the immune cells of patients being treated with biologics. By analysing blood samples from 40 patients before and during treatment, they found that instead of disappearing during treatment, certain types of immune cell – which play a key part in asthma inflammation – actually increased.

“This suggests that biologics might not attack the root of the problem, no matter how much they help asthma patients during treatment,” says Jenny Mjösberg, professor of tissue immunology at Karolinska Institutet’s Department of Medicine in Huddinge. “Continued treatment might be necessary to keep the disease under control.”

Surprising finding

The study is based on data from patients with severe asthma sourced from the BIOCROSS study. The researchers used advanced methods such as flow cytometry and single-cell sequencing to determine the properties and function of the immune cells.

“We were surprised to find that blood levels of inflammatory cells increased rather than decreased,” says Lorenz Wirth, doctoral student at the same department at Karolinska Institutet. “This could explain why inflammation of the airways often returns when the treatment is tapered or discontinued. It is important that we understand the long-term immunological effects of these drugs.”

Relatively new drugs

Little is still known about the long-term effects of biologics like mepolizumab and dupilumab since they are relatively new, having been prescribed to asthmatics for less than ten years. 

The next stage of the study will be to analyse samples from patients with a long treatment history and to study lung tissue to see how the immune cells are affected in the airways.

Source: Karolinska Instutet

Categories : Allergies DermatologyTags :

Can Early Exposure to Dogs Lessen Genetic Susceptibility to Eczema?

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New research published in Allergy indicates that certain environmental exposures may affect a child’s risk of developing atopic eczema, a condition characterised by dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. In other words, although some people may be genetically predisposed to eczema, certain environmental factors may increase or decrease that risk.

For the study, investigators analysed data from 16 European studies to test for interactions between the 24 most significant eczema-associated genetic variants and 18 early-life environmental factors. They applied their findings to an additional 10 studies and used lab modelling tests to assess their results.

The first analysis (including 25 339 individuals) showed suggestive evidence for interaction between 7 environmental factors (antibiotic use, cat ownership, dog ownership, breastfeeding, elder sibling, smoking, and washing practices) and at least one established genetic variant for eczema, with 14 interactions in total.

In the additional analysis (254 532 individuals), dog exposure interacted with a particular genetic risk variant on chromosome 5, near the gene that codes for the interleukin-7 receptor, a protein involved in immune cell function. Lab modelling tests showed that this variant affects expression of interleukin-7 receptor in human skin cells and that dog exposure modifies the genetic effect of this variant on the development of eczema, essentially providing a protective effect by suppressing skin inflammation.

Additional studies are needed to explore these lab findings and the other potential interactions identified in the first analysis.

“Our research aims to answer some of the most difficult questions that I am asked in clinic: ‘Why does my child have eczema?’ and ‘What can I do to help protect my baby?’ We know that genetic make-up affects a child’s risk of developing eczema and previous studies have shown that owning a pet dog may be protective, but this is the first study to show how this may occur at a molecular level,” said corresponding author Sara J. Brown, MD, PhD, FRCPE, of the University of Edinburgh. “More work is needed, but our findings mean we have a chance to intervene in the rise of allergic disease, to protect future generations.”

Source: Wiley

Categories : AllergiesTags :

Key Player in Childhood Food Allergies Identified: Thetis Cells

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A decade ago, a clinical trial in the UK famously showed that children who were exposed to peanuts in the early months of life had reduced risk of developing a peanut allergy compared with children who avoided peanuts.

Now, researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) have a likely answer as to why that’s the case: Thetis cells.

This recently discovered class of immune cells, which were first described by MSK researchers in 2022, plays an essential and previously unknown role in suppressing inflammatory responses to food, according to findings published in Science, one of the world’s premier scientific journals.

Moreover, the study, which was conducted in mouse models, points to a critical window in the early months of life for training the immune system not to overreact to food allergens, termed “oral tolerance.”

The study also opens the door to new therapeutic possibilities, the researchers say.

“This is a great example of how clinical studies can reveal clues to fundamental mechanisms in biology,” says physician-scientist Chrysothemis Brown, MBBS, PhD, the study’s senior author. “These new understandings can pave the way for new treatment strategies for food allergies, which are desperately needed.”

The research was led by co-first authors from the Brown Lab: paediatric hematologist-oncologist Vanja Cabric, MD, and research assistant Yollanda Franco Parisotto, PhD.

Thetis Cells Train the Immune System To Tolerate Helpful Outsiders

Thetis cells are a type of antigen-presenting cell, whose job is to present foreign substances (antigens) to other immune cells. Antigen-presenting cells must educate the immune system. These cells provide signals that tell the immune system to attack foreign bacteria and viruses – or instruct it to tolerate harmless proteins in the foods we eat.

Previous research led by Dr Brown and immunologist Alexander Rudensky, PhD, Chair of the Immunology Program at MSK’s Sloan Kettering Institute, identified a window in early life where a “developmental wave” of Thetis cells within the gut creates an opportunity for developing immune tolerance.

“We previously showed that Thetis cells train the immune system not to attack the helpful bacteria in the digestive system. So we wondered whether these cells might also be important for preventing inflammatory responses to food, and whether the increased abundance of the cells during early life would result in increased protection against food allergy,” says Dr. Brown, whose lab is in MSK’s Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP).

The new study found that Thetis cells not only help to broker peace accords with “good” bacteria, but also with proteins in foods that can act as allergens, such the Ara h proteins found in peanuts (though they weren’t specifically tested in the study) or the ovalbumin found in eggs.

Thetis cells got their name because they share traits with two different types of antigen-presenting cells: medullary thymic epithelial cells and dendritic cells, just as Thetis in Greek mythology had shape-shifting attributes.

A Key Role for Gut-Draining Lymph Nodes

The research team used a variety of genetically engineered mouse models to investigate oral tolerance. They attached a fluorescent dye to ovalbumin in order to visualise which cells in the gut interacted with it.

And this showed that a subset of Thetis cells, the same ones that regulated tolerance to healthy gut bacteria, took up the protein. This allowed Thetis cells to program another type of immune cell called regulatory T cells to suppress the immune response to the egg protein, essentially telling the body it was safe.

“This process is often studied in adult models, but by examining what happens when mice first encounter food proteins at the time of weaning, we could see which specific cells were critical to generating tolerance to food during early life,” Dr. Cabric says.

Although Thetis cells could also induce tolerance throughout life, there was a significant difference in the immune response when the egg protein was introduced later.

Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Categories : AllergiesTags :

Why Are Urban Children More Prone to Allergies?

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Study finds unique immune cell linked to risk

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A previously uncharacterised subset of immune cells may play a critical role in the development of allergic diseases and explain differences between urban and rural populations. The finding, published in the journal Allergy, provides new insight into how the immune system is shaped in early life – and why urban children are more prone to allergies than children from rural areas.

Led by researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) Department of Pediatrics, including MD/PhD student Catherine Pizzarello and senior author Kirsi Järvinen-Seppo, MD, PhD, the study uncovered a unique subpopulation of T cells known as helper 2 (Th2) cells with distinct molecular characteristics.

T-cells are the foundational immune cells that fight off infections, but there is evidence that this specific subtype is recognizing certain foods as allergenic and attacking them, according to Jarvinen-Seppo.

“These pro-allergic T cells are more inflammatory than anything previously described in this context,” said Järvinen-Seppo, chief of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at UR Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital. “They were found more frequently in urban infants who later developed allergies, suggesting they may be a predictive biomarker or even a mechanistic driver of allergic disease.”

The study compared blood samples from urban infants with those from infants in a farming community, specifically the Old Order Mennonites (OOM) of New York’s Finger Lakes region – known for their low rates of allergies. Researchers found that while urban infants had higher levels of the aggressive Th2 cells, OOM infants had more regulatory T cells that help keep the immune system in balance and reduce the likelihood of allergic responses.

While additional research is needed to identify a possible cause, Jarvinen-Seppo speculates that differences in the development of the gut microbiome between the two populations, and more exposure to “healthy” bacteria in rural children, may be a factor.

“The farming environment, which is rich in microbial exposure, appears to support the development of a more tolerant immune system. Meanwhile, the urban environment may promote the emergence of immune cells that are primed for allergic inflammation,” said Jarvinen-Seppo.

The work is part of a broader, NIH-funded investigation into how early-life exposures influence long-term immune outcomes. In 2023, Järvinen-Seppo’s team received a $7 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to study environmental, microbiome, and immune differences between OOM and urban infants. The goal is to continue this foundational work to uncover protective factors that could be translated into preventive therapies, including probiotics or microbiome-supporting interventions.

“If we can identify the conditions for this disparity between the different T cell subpopulations, we can potentially find solutions in allergic disease development,” Järvinen-Seppo said.

Source: University of Rochester Medical Center

Categories : Allergies Environmental EffectsTags :

How is Climate Change Affecting Seasonal Allergies?

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A review published in The Laryngoscope indicates that climate change’s effects on pollen seasons and concentrations are contributing to increasing rates of allergic rhinitis.

When investigators assessed research published between 2000 and 2023, they identified 30 studies that reported on the current epidemiological state of allergic rhinitis, described factors related to climate change, and observed how global warming is affecting pollen seasons and allergy symptoms.

Sixteen studies reported longer pollen seasons and/or higher pollen concentrations related to climate change. As an example, total pollen emissions in the U.S. are projected to increase by 16–40% by the end of the century and pollen season length to increase by 19 days. Four studies reported an increase in allergic rhinitis–related health care usage, particularly among low-income residents. Two studies reported that health care professionals want more education on climate change. 

“Physicians are uniquely positioned to witness the impact of allergic rhinitis on patient outcomes and can adapt their practice as climate change intensifies,” said corresponding author Alisha R. Pershad, BS, a third-year medical student at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. “As trusted voices in the community, they should leverage their frontline experience to advocate for meaningful change in addressing the climate crisis.”

Source: Wiley