Researchers’ discovery in controlling allergic reactions to peanuts
Control of peanut allergy was made possible by blocking the activity of an enzyme.
In a study of a model of mice, a group of researchers found that levels of the PIN1 kinar enzyme in the small intestine of peanut-sensitive mice increased, and inhibition of this enzyme significantly reduced peanut allergy.
The researchers added that PIM1 and its associated transcription factor, Runx3, play an important role in causing allergic reactions to peanuts, and that increased levels of PIM1 kinase in the intestines of peanut-sensitive mice are associated with increased incidence of various inflammatory cells and cytokines.
The results of this study indicate that by blocking the activity of this enzyme in the studied mice, the mice no longer experienced diarrhea and other symptoms related to peanut allergy.
According to researchers, these results offer new goals and opportunities for treating allergic reactions to peanuts as well as other foods, and can control allergic reactions to other foods.
The findings are published in the journal Allergy and Clinical Immunology.