Reducing anaphylaxis fatalities

Scientists have made a breakthrough which could reduce the risk of allergic individuals suffering serious allergic reactions to food. A team from Glasgow University identified a molecule which amplifies allergic reactions. They also developed a biological agent which they believe will reduce the allergic symptoms. It is hoped the discovery could reduce the incidence of fatal anaphylactic shock cases.

The novel cytokine (immune hormone), known as IL-33, was found to play a key role in the development of anaphylaxis by increasing the inflammation experienced. Without the IL-33 molecule, the scientists believe the allergic reaction experienced would be far less severe, greatly reducing the risk of death. Based on this assumption, the team developed a means to intervene with the IL-33 molecule and were able to successfully demonstrate using a mouse model that by blocking the IL-33 molecule, the severity of the allergic reaction was reduced. This approach does not stop the allergic reaction altogether but blocks the amplification of the reaction triggered by IL-33, thereby reducing the severity.

Reference: Pushparaj et al. 2009 Proceedings of the National Association of Sciences of the USA. Vol 106 (24) pp 9773-9778.