A receptor called allergin – 1 present on the surface of specialized cells of the immune system inhibits serious allergic reactions, according to scientists in Japan in the journal Nature Immunology.
Allergens, insect venom and certain medications can trigger a severe anaphylactic shock, which for allergy sufferers may be fatal. This type of reaction occurs immediately after contact with the toxin, and is caused by special IgE antibodies and the so-called immune system mast cells, also known as mast cells.
The complex of the allergen with IgE antibodies causes the degranulation of mast cells, i.e. the release of histamine and other substances harmful to the body, causing the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Akira Shibuya and colleagues from the University of Tsukuba discovered the existence of a new receptor called allergin-1 on the surface of mast cells. As shown by the researchers, allergin-1 blocks mast cell degranulation by inactivating the receptors for IgE antibodies on their surface.
Researchers found that mice lacking the allergin-1 receptor were more likely to undergo anaphylactic shock. Humans also share the same receptor, indicating that the mechanism of control of the allergic reaction is similar. Now scientists plan to investigate how activation of the newly discovered receptor occurs. (PAP)