A real blow for the sneezes

For those sufferers of allergic rhinitis – scientists at Oxford University have some good Christmas news for you.

A team at Oxford University have unveiled a possible new treatment to block allergic responses to common allergens that cause allergic rhinitis.

The new treatment - targeted to help those with allergies to pollen, house dust mites and animal fur - successfully blocks a key trigger in the development of the cold-like symptoms and breathing difficulties experienced when nasal passages narrow. This physical response is due to the initialisation, and then sustained activation of mast cells.

Professor Anant Parekh and team, of the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics have shown that when an allergen is detected on the surface of a mast cell, calcium ions enter the cell via a membrane protein called CRAC. A cascade of events occur inside the mast cells, including the release of leukotrienes which then signal to other mast cells to open their CRAC channels to allow the influx of more calcium ions in a positive feedback loop.

The group has developed a technology that combines an existing drug to block leukotriene receptors with a new treatment that blocks the functional CRAC protein. Studies have focused on human nasal tissue but the group hope to demonstrate that this double edged treatment would be successful in humans, and may have applications as a therapy for asthma and eczema. Professor Parekh said: “We hope to make rapid progress in the area of asthma with these tools and approaches."

Georgina Lavender