FW: Scientists Spot Key Food Allergy Molecule

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July 3, 2007

Scientists Spot Key Food Allergy Molecule

Interleukin--12 could determine people's reaction to certain proteins, they

say

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(HealthDay News) -- British scientists say a molecule called interleukin--12

can protect against food allergies.

A team at the Institute of Food Allergy Research in Norwich noted that

interleukin--12 is absent during the body's allergic response.

" We have identified a molecule that is very important for the regulation of

immune response and for the first time clearly represents a potential target

for the therapy of allergy. This is currently under investigation,- " lead

researcher Claudio tti said in a prepared statement.

The molecule is made by white blood cells called dendrites. These cells help

regulate the body's immune response to foreign materials, including food

proteins. There is no cure for food allergies other than avoiding the

offending foods. For some people, food allergies can be life-threatening.

Researchers compared dendritic cells in the gut and spleen of mice with and

without food allergies. Cells in the allergic mice did not make

interleukin--12, the research team reported.

The discovery helps explain how " a food protein can be perfectly harmless to

one person and lethal to another, " tti said. " We have identified the

missing molecule that normally keeps immune responses under control. "

The study is published in the July issue of the Journal of Allergy and

Clinical Immunology

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