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How allergens trigger asthma attacks

A team of scientists has identified a human protein called interleukin-33 (IL-33) that reacts to various environmental allergens, including mold, pollen, and cockroaches. This discovery establishes a direct link between genetics and the environment, and offers new potential targets for treatment of allergic diseases.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Immunology·DateMar 19, 2018

Study finds asthma and food allergies predictable at age 1

A study finds that children with eczema or atopic dermatitis and sensitization to an allergen at age 1 are significantly more likely to develop asthma and a food allergy by age three. The CHILD Study also found that early introduction of common allergenic foods may reduce the risk of allergic sensitization and food allergy.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateNov 15, 2017

Exposure to pet and pest allergens during infancy linked to reduced asthma risk

A new NIH-funded study finds that children exposed to high indoor levels of pet or pest allergens during infancy have a lower risk of developing asthma by age 7. The study suggests that exposure to certain allergens early in life may prevent asthma from developing, and may provide clues for the design of strategies to prevent asthma.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateSep 19, 2017

Allergies: Cross-reactivity between cypress pollen and peaches/citrus fruits explained

Researchers have discovered a new family of proteins involved in cross-reactivity between cypress pollen and certain fruits, leading to improved allergy diagnosis and treatment. This finding, published in Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, sheds light on the underlying mechanisms behind pollen food associated syndrome.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateAug 18, 2017

Gene therapy could 'turn off' severe allergies

Researchers have successfully 'turned off' the immune response that causes allergic reactions in animals using gene therapy. The treatment, which targets specific immune cells, has shown promise in de-sensitizing the immune system to proteins, potentially treating severe allergies like asthma and peanut allergies.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalJCI Insight·DateJun 2, 2017

Immunotherapy against bee stings in some cases incomplete

Researchers found that commercial preparations for allergy shots often lack sufficient levels of key allergens, which could affect treatment success. Customized immunotherapy tailored to individual patients' reactions is a promising approach, but its development is still in its infancy.

Mouse arrest

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that a professional pest management intervention was no better at decreasing asthma symptoms in children allergic to mice than teaching families how to reduce mouse allergens on their own. Both groups showed substantial reductions in mouse allergen levels an...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateMar 6, 2017

NIH study determines key differences between allergic and non-allergic dust mite proteins

A NIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences study found that dust mite allergens are more stable and abundant than other dust mite proteins. This discovery may lead to the development of new approaches for treating dust mite allergies, a common trigger for asthma.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateOct 19, 2016

Dust mite allergens share rare combo of qualities

Researchers at Duke University and NIEHS discover that dust mite allergens are both more abundant and stable than non-allergenic proteins, which may lead to new allergy treatments or predict allergenic potential of artificially added proteins. This discovery could also help characterize disease states and study drug mode-of-action.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateOct 19, 2016

Stop the rogue ADAM gene and you stop asthma

Researchers at the University of Southampton have found a potential method for preventing asthma by targeting the ADAM33 gene, which is associated with airway remodelling and inflammation. Stopping the rogue gene can significantly reduce asthma symptoms in mice, suggesting a new approach to disease modification therapy.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 21, 2016

In-house test kits help motivate parents to reduce allergens in their homes

The study found that households using the test kits had a consistent reduction in dust mite allergens over the course of the 12-month study period. A significant number of parents reported adopting behaviors to reduce dust mites after seeing their test kit results, such as using special pillow covers and vacuuming with HEPA filters.

State-of-the-science help for hay fever sufferers

Hay fever sufferers can benefit from state-of-the-science treatments like sublingual immunotherapy. The American Academy of Otolaryngology recommends this treatment for patients with specific allergies who don't respond to other treatments, with a completion period of up to five years. Other key recommendations include diagnosing and t...

Lower asthma risk is associated with microbes in infants' homes

A new study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that infants exposed to a diverse range of bacterial species in house dust during the first year of life are less likely to develop asthma in early childhood. The study, led by UCSF researchers, suggests that immune responses may be shaped by exposures during...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateJun 6, 2014

Early exposure to certain bacteria may protect toddlers from wheezing

A NIH-funded study found that early life exposure to specific combinations of allergens and bacteria protects against wheezing and allergic disease. The Urban Environment and Childhood Asthma (URECA) study revealed that cockroach, mouse, and cat exposure during the first year of life is associated with a lower risk of recurrent wheezing.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateJun 6, 2014