An 'Allergy Switch' That Turns Asthma On and Off Unearthed

American scientists have unearthed a previously unknown cellular switch that turns allergies and asthma both on and off. This 'switch' explains why spring season is often accompanied by increased allergies and problems for asthmatic people.

The study also suggested that at least for some people with asthma and allergies, their problems might be caused by genes that prevent this switch from working properly.

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An allergy is a hypersensitive disorder of immune system. Substances that often cause allergic reactions are pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, food, insect stings and medicines.

"This study uncovers some of the basic mechanisms that control whether or not people have asthma and allergies and the severity of the symptoms," said Dr John Ryan, Professor of Biology at Virginia Commonwealth University, and a senior scientist involved in the research.

"This understanding opens new avenues for treating these and other related diseases," he added.

In the new study, Ryan and colleagues used mouse models to uncover the basic mechanisms.

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They examined cells from bone marrow and umbilical cord blood that ultimately help create a type of immune cell (mast cells).

Too many mast cells lead to an over-aggressive immune response, which causes allergies and asthma.

The scientists found that when chemicals (cytokines IL-4 and IL-10) used to initiate an immune response (the "on switch") are added to developing mast cells, the developing cells die.

Since bone marrow makes both mast cells and these cytokines, the researchers said that just as the cytokines serve as the "on switch" for the immune system, bone marrow cells also use them as the "off switch" to stop mast cells from getting out of hand.

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The researchers also found that strains of mice prone to allergies and asthma had genes which affected the production of this chemical "off switch" in their bone marrow.

"The immune system has an incredible capacity for balance and counterbalance to maintain optimal and properly tuned immune responses," said Dr John Wherry, Deputy Editor of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology,

"The studies by Ryan and colleagues are an excellent example of this inherent self-regulation of the immune system and how an imbalance in mast cell regulation could contribute to allergy and disease," he added.

Source-ANI
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