Discovery for new allergic asthma treatments
20 July 2010

Asthma UK-funded researcher, Dr Amir Ghaemmaghami at the University of Nottingham, has uncovered new information about allergic reactions which could pave the way for new treatments for allergic asthma.

He has been studying dendritic cells in the immune system. These are important cells that sample the air we breathe in and decide whether or not to activate an immune response. 

 However, the precise mechanism through which dendritic cells trigger allergic responses has been largely unknown. 

 Now, thanks to funding from Asthma UK, Dr Ghaemmaghami and his colleagues have discovered that Mannose Receptors (MRs) on the surface of dendritic cells seem to be responsible for their sensitivity to house-dust mite, dog, cockroach and peanut allergens. Once activated by these allergens, dendritic cells provoke other cells to secrete a variety of chemicals that cause the development of allergy and asthma.

Dr Ghaemmaghami has also been able to prove that blocking the production of MRs by dendritic cells stops them from responding to the presence of allergens, potentially preventing an allergic response.

Dr Ghaemmaghami said: ‘We are excited to have uncovered new information about the body’s response to allergens.’ 

‘Our results demonstrate for the first time that the Mannose Receptor is involved in dendritic cells’ ability to cause allergic sensitivity. This builds on previous research showing that dendritic cells in people with asthma have high levels of MR on their surface. 

‘Our research suggests that blocking this receptor with a drug might be a new way of treating allergic asthma.’

Dr Elaine Vickers, Research Relations Manager at Asthma UK, said: ‘To create powerful, targeted treatments for people with allergic asthma, we need to start with a detailed understanding of how our immune system works and why it sometimes causes inflammation and over-sensitivity to harmless allergens.

‘Dr Ghaemmaghami’s research takes us another step closer to realising our vision of a future free from asthma.’

Dr Ghaemmaghami’s research was published online on 7 July 2010 in the Journal of Immunology.