Small Intestine May Play Large Role in Food Allergy

In March, I talked about research related to dendritic cells and food allergies in a post called, "New Discovery May Help Food Allergic".  Last week, Massachusetts General released a new study focused on dendritic cells in the intestinal lining. They discovered that these cells collect antigens from both intestinal contents and the blood stream, leading to the generation of T cells that suppress inflammation. Researchers believe that the suppression of inflammation could bring about the inappropriate immune response characteristic of autoimmune disorders, inflammatory bowel disease and food allergies. Controlling T cell activation in the intestine may play a role in understanding food allergies.

Take a look at the complete press release, Intestinal immune cells play an unexpected role in immune surveillance of the bloodstream, for more detailed information. This study was supported by several National Institutes of Health grants.

Food Allergy Molecule Discovered

So why do some people have an allergic response to something like peanuts and milk, while others have no such response. Researchers are a step closer to answering that question.

In a recent study led by Yong-Jun Liu, M.D., Ph.D., at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, scientists singled out the molecule that specifically directs immune cells to develop the capability to produce an allergic response. It's called thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and these researchers believe it is the key to why food allergies develop in some people.

Information from this study may allow scientists to target this molecule in their efforts to treat and cure food allergy. Here's the abstract for those with a scientific brain.

This research is being conducted with a grant through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health.

Here's their press release of this encouraging new study.