Asthma drug shows promise in blocking food allergy reactions

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I heard about this on Science in Action, quote from the university’s article

The discovery came after the Northwestern scientists identified, in mice, a previously unknown role for a gene called DPEP1, which they found is essential in regulating anaphylaxis, a rapid and potentially fatal allergic reaction.

By using the asthma drug Zileuton to block the pathway involving this gene, the scientists nearly eliminated allergic responses in mice that were previously highly susceptible to food-induced anaphylaxis. The mice were given peanut extract orally shortly after receiving Zileuton while the team monitored for symptoms.

Asthma drug shows promise in blocking food allergy reactions

A drug already FDA-approved for asthma was found to nearly eliminate life-threatening allergic reactions to food allergens in mice — a breakthrough that could lead to new protection for millions of people living with food allergies, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study.

news.northwestern.edu

With the paper here

https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.adp0240

 

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Tuning food allergen transport by gut epithelial cells to trigger anaphylaxis.
Reduced DPEP1 activity causes leukotriene (LTC4and LTD4) accumulation in the gut, acting on the CysLT receptors 1 and 2 (CysLTR1 and CysLTR2). This promotes food allergen transport through goblet cells to the submucosa and bloodstream, where IgE-loaded mast cells are activated to trigger anaphylaxis.

Are there other ways to trigger anaphylaxis than through the gut? If so, this wouldn’t solve all of the issues, especially not for the more severely affected.

 

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Are there other ways to trigger anaphylaxis than through the gut? If so, this wouldn’t solve all of the issues, especially not for the more severely affected.

Good point. There are other triggers like bee stings AFAIK.