Discharge of mosquito: New active ingredient stops allergic reactions!

Discharge of mosquito: New active ingredient stops allergic reactions!

The topic of mast cell activation has become more important in current research, especially in connection with allergic reactions and inflammation. Mosquito bites that cause pain, redness and swelling activate mast cells - specialized immune cells that can be found in skin and mucous membranes. These cells released inflammatory messengers such as histamine, prostaglandins and leukotriene, which leads to the typical symptoms. Professor Dr. Christa Müller from the University of Bonn deals with the research of these mast cell activities and the underlying mechanisms.

The receptor MRGPrX2, discovered 15 years ago, is particularly remarkable, which plays a key role in allergies. This receptor acts like a switch and triggers local inflammatory reactions. According to the results of Mullers team, which tested over 40,000 connections, an active ingredient could be identified that blocks this receptor and prevents mast cell activation. In cooperation with researchers from Poland, the effect of the active ingredient was examined in mice, whereby the results are promising: life -threatening allergic reactions were successfully prevented.

mechanisms of mast cell activation

mast cells can be activated in different ways. The receptor FCεRI, for example, conveys the reaction in IGE allergies, while MRGPRX2 is particularly important for non-vertical allergies. Substances such as pseudo -allergenic substances and certain medicines can activate MRGPRX2, which is connected to diseases such as atopic dermatitis and chronic urticaria. These receptors are important because they influence the degree of mast cell activation and thus modulate inflammation.

Research has also shown that MRGPrX2 expression in asthmatic patients has increased and plays a role in the development of allergic asthma. Sensitive nerve fibers freely set messenger substances such as substance P, which use MRGPrX2 to degranulate the mast cells. This neuro-immune interaction is crucial for the course of Atopy and can lead to chronic complaints that go far beyond the acute allergy symptoms.

therapeutic approaches and challenges

Despite the promising results, further research is necessary to check the suitability of the newly found active ingredient as a medication. The active ingredient specifically blocks the MRGPrX2 receptor, which lowers the risk of unwanted side effects. Potential applications could include the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, the lungs as well as severe chronic itching and other inflammatory skin diseases. The prevention of anaphylactic shocks could also be a field of application.