New hope against mosquito bites: Innovative active ingredient discovered

receptor: new active ingredient against difficult to treat allergies

Current research in the field of all -extent treatment show promising progress through a newly discovered receptor that plays a central role in severe allergic reactions. This receptor, MRGPrX2, exists in the membrane of mast cells - immune cells that are responsible for regulating inflammation. The activation of these cells leads to unpleasant symptoms such as reddening and itching, mainly triggered by insect bites or allergens.

mechanism of activation and research results

Research has shown that MRGPrX2 looks like a switch. When this receptor is operated, a local inflammatory reaction is triggered. Scientists under the direction of Prof. Dr. Christa Müller from the University of Bonn have found that there is a way to block this switch to prevent the allergic reaction. The extensive tests of an active ingredient library of 40,000 compounds identified a specific active ingredient that blocks the receptor. This process was supported by special cells that generate a visible light signal when the receptor is activated.

Optimization of the active ingredient and possible applications

The initial results show that the newly developed active ingredient is not only effective, but also has a long time. This is crucial for use as a therapeutic. With targeted chemical changes, scientists were able to further increase the efficiency of the molecule, which means that it is able to successfully prevent the release of inflammatory substances in human mast cells. In the long term, this could significantly relieve many patients, in particular those with chronic inflammation or inflammatory skin diseases.

Patients suffering from severe allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shocks, could also benefit from this new active ingredient. However, the exact test methods of animal and human models are still pending in order to finally confirm the security and effectiveness of the substance.

collaboration and promotion of research

The research was carried out in close cooperation with several international institutions, including the Charité in Berlin, the Catholic University of Leuven and universities in the USA and Poland. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the USA, which underlines the high priority of research in the field of allergies, was financed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.