Global Courant
Researchers have identified a molecular switch that activates the allergic response in humans that causes diseases such as asthma, eczema and food allergies.
A recent study by a scientist at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, identified the molecular agent responsible for directing immune cells to develop the ability to produce an allergic response. The molecular agent, called thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), is the culprit behind the development of allergic diseases such as asthma, atopic dermatitis (eczema) and food allergy in humans, the researchers said; but how can this happen?
Well, according to the researchers, dendritic cells, which are immune cells that initiate the primary immune response, play a very important role in the allergic reaction mechanism. When dendritic cells come into contact with other immune cells known as T cells, they cause T cells to develop into different categories, such as helper 1 (Th1) and helper 2 (Th2) cells, the author said. researchers. These categories of T cells are responsible for initiating protective immune responses, but the Th2 cell can also initiate an allergic response itself, according to the study. It was never known before how dendritic cells communicated with regular T cells, so they became Th2 cells, according to the researchers.
The blood of healthy donors was used by the researchers to isolate dendritic cells (University of Texas). The scientists found that the binding of TSLP to these cells activates a separate set of signaling pathways in the cells. A direct consequence of this pathway is the production of messenger molecules by the dendritic cells that act on T cells, causing T cells to develop into Th2 cells (University of Texas).
Therefore, the study identifies TSLP as a molecular switch that triggers the development of allergic responses in humans, suggesting that this molecule could be a target to effectively treat or prevent allergic diseases such as those mentioned above in the future.
Drugs may be developed to block the action of TSLP. Not only that, understanding the functions of such a molecule could one day pave the way for the development of a drug that could potentially reverse the allergic reaction in humans.
There are millions of people worldwide who suffer from diseases related to the body’s allergic response (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)). Asthma is one of those diseases. It is the most common of all chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine: January 2008 – Volume 14 – Issue 1 – p 3-8).
Asthma is characterized by chronic inflammation of the lungs causing narrowing of the airways or bronchial tubes (AAFA). These interns cause breathing difficulties (AAFA). Current asthma medications target the inflammation and airway narrowing problems of the lungs. However, this is a temporary solution to a chronic problem. In contrast, drugs or vaccines designed to target the TSLP molecule could be a huge step forward in the cure or effective treatment of asthma.
Eczema is an inflammatory process that occurs superficially (Dorland’s Medical Dictionary (DMD)). It mainly concerns the epidermis (DMD). Eczema is characterized by redness, itching, tiny papules and vesicles, weeping, oozing and crusting, and later by scaling and often pigmentation (DMD). This characterization of symptoms is a common allergic reaction in children and in adults (DMD). In fact, it can be more serious in adults than in children (DMD). Eczema in children often begins in childhood, with a rash on the face, neck, elbows, and knees (DMD). In some patients, it may go away on its own when the food causing the allergic reaction is removed from the diet, or it may become more extensive and cover the entire body (DMD). In severe cases, a skin infection can develop (DMD).
A food allergy is characterized by an overreaction of the immune system to a protein substance or allergen eaten, inhaled, injected or touched (AAFA). Such an overreaction of the immune system can result in coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose or scratchy throat (AAFA). In more severe cases, it can lead to rashes, hives, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, asthma attacks and even death (AAFA).
There is currently no cure for allergies (AAFA); but with the isolation of the molecular agent TSLP responsible for triggering allergies, a cure is possible. At the moment, allergies can only be managed with proper prevention and treatment (AAFA).
Allergies are present in individuals who are genetically predisposed to developing the allergy (AAFA). For example, if one parent has an allergy, there is a 1 in 3 chance that a child will have the allergy (AAFA). On the other hand, if both parents have the allergy, there is a 7 in 10 chance that their offspring will have the allergy (AAFA). There is an increase in Americans suffering from allergies (AAFA). In fact, it is the most overlooked disease in America (AAFA). It is not even seen as a disease by some!
Here we can see that all the mentioned complications are allergy related. Asthma, like eczema, is an allergy. This is why the breakthrough in the TSLP study is welcome news for many people suffering from allergy-related illnesses.
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