Researchers may be nearing an explanation for the enduring nature of certain allergies, shedding light on why some allergies persist while others diminish over time. The perpetuation of allergies appears to be linked to a distinctive type of immune cell.
For years, allergies have perplexed scientists due to uncertainties surrounding their emergence and longevity. Prior research revealed that the primary antibody associated with allergies is generated by cells with a short lifespan, complicating the understanding of lifelong allergies.
Two recent studies, published consecutively in Science Translational Medicine, offer insights into this enigma. These studies, one focused on allergic children and the other on adults, identified a novel type of immune cell previously unconnected to allergies.
These cells typically produce immunoglobulin G (IgG), an antibody unrelated to allergies. However, a subset of these cells switches to producing immunoglobulin E (IgE) upon encountering allergens like pollen, pet dander, or peanuts.
IgE is typically produced by short-lived plasma cells, which swiftly generate antibodies as an immediate immune response. However, in allergies, these antibodies target harmless proteins instead of fighting off parasites, their intended purpose.
The newly identified cells are memory B cells that typically remember and produce IgG in response to viruses and bacteria. Yet, researchers have discovered a subset of these memory B cells that retain allergen memory and can produce IgE. Unlike short-lived plasma cells, these cells persist in the body indefinitely, potentially throughout a person’s lifetime.
This research may pave the way for developing new allergy treatments or diagnostic tests. For instance, these cells could serve as biological markers to predict allergy persistence from childhood into adulthood.
One study focused on children allergic to peanuts, analyzing blood samples from allergic and non-allergic children, while the other studied adults with various allergies, including birch-pollen, dust-mite, and peanut allergies.
Both studies examined how memory B cells responded to allergens, particularly focusing on changes in IgE production. They identified a common type of memory B cell associated with allergies, which had been previously observed in animals and individuals with asthma and eczema.
These cells directly produce IgE antibodies, the culprits behind allergic reactions, constituting a long-term memory reservoir for allergies.
This research area is crucial for understanding diseases caused by antibodies, like allergies, according to experts. However, both studies were limited by their small sample sizes. Future research could investigate how immunotherapy affects these memory B cells and their antibody production in individuals undergoing treatment for peanut allergies.
Further research might explore changes in the behavior of these cells over time, particularly in children who may outgrow their allergies.
Understanding the persistence of allergies could potentially lead to interventions aimed at modifying or eliminating allergy-specific cells, thus preventing IgE production and allergic responses. Consequently, future studies building on this research might offer promising avenues for alleviating the impact of allergies or even achieving a cure.
Please note that this article is intended for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice.