New hope to prevent allergies with discovery of new cell

Conditions like asthma, eczema and anaphylaxis could be treated and prevented, with the discovery of a previously unknown cell which is set to stop allergies before they begin.

A new cell could help treat and prevent conditions like asthma.

The discovery of a new cell that could stop allergies before they begin is heralding a new way to treat and even prevent allergies such as asthma, ­eczema and anaphylaxis.

Researchers from the ­Australian National University identified the previously unknown cell which prevents the formation of Immunoglobulin E, which is key in setting off ­allergic conditions.

“By carefully studying the tonsils of children undergoing routine tonsillectomies, we identified a new cell type of the immune system that may help prevent allergies,” lead ­researcher Pablo Canete said.

“The cell stops the very first step in causing an allergic disease. If you don’t have excessive Immunoglobulin E levels, you generally do not develop allergies,” he said.

He said the discovery was “very significant”.

“It is a new way of thinking about allergies and treatment. This cell has a profound effect on the first part of the allergic reaction.

“Maybe in the near future we can design chemical compounds that mimic the effects of this cell, or think of ways to boost these cell types in the long run,” Mr Canete said.

People with allergies have an immune system that overreacts to harmless particles (allergens) like pollen, dust or peanut and produce antibodies called Immunoglobulin E.

These antibodies then trigger a chain of events that results in allergic reactions. The newly discovered cell stops these antibodies from forming.

The breakthrough comes as Australia has one of the highest rates of allergies in the world and rates are increasing.

“Around one in five Australians suffer from some form of allergic condition and there is a full spectrum of allergic ­diseases,” said Mr Canete.

“We know how these ­diseases work but we know relatively little about how the immune system suppresses or regulates allergic diseases.”

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The research was conducted in the laboratory of Professor Carola Vinuesa at the John Curtin School of Medical Research and funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council.

“This breakthrough could help to develop therapies that are more targeted,” Professor Vinuesa said.

“Instead of antihistamines, which help deal with the actual symptoms of allergic reactions, we could potentially modulate the immune system and stop the reaction before it even ­begins,” she said.