each year, Pollen season grows longer and more intensely– Great pain for those suffering from pollen allergies – including intelligence. Antihistamines or hot towels can only do a lot, and there are no multiple protections (covering, closing windows securely, naming you) that can provide any protection from endless sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes.
But what if you can foil the attack on your sensitive nasal passages before these nasty allergens by spraying something similar to a nasal spray?
This is an inspiration for “simple but powerful idea” Kaissar TabynovThey led the effort to create a “molecular shield” that intercepts allergens as they approach our airways. In the experiment, they targeted Mogwater pollen, which The most common causes of pollen allergies in Central Asia and Europe. Tabynov and colleagues report the first proof of principle of the technology in a paper published today. Field of Immunology.
“Allnesses are often seen as inconvenient but secondary conditions, but for millions, they severely reduce the quality of life and may even threaten life,” Tabynov, director of the International Vaccine Science Center of the National University of Agricultural Research, Kazakhstan, told Gizmodo in an email. “We think this could be the beginning of new anti-or allergy interventions – smart, fast and easy to use, and can protect people in some way during allergy season.”
This is how the “Shield” works. The researchers first develop monoclonal antibodies or laboratory-made proteins designed to attach to specific molecules. In this case, it is the main protein that targets the main allergic protein found in Mogwater pollen. These antibodies are applied to the nose, effectively snatching allergens from our natural antibodies, which triggers an allergic reaction when bound to the allergen.
Tabynov explains that the immune system is a complex network of cellular and hormones, so adjusting the treatments so that it does not disrupt the natural system of mice that proves to be a major challenge. Not only that, Mogwater pollen is actually a combination of multiple allergic particles (partially because they are so incredible), which means Tabynov’s team must focus on the most relevant parts of the allergen complex.
After several adjustments, the team successfully performed antibody treatments to inhibit rhinitis and asthma symptoms in mice and performed antibodies without damaging the animals’ natural antibodies. Although the treatment lasted shorter than Tabynov hoped, he told Gizmodo that he and his team had developed a strategy that could make the treatment last longer.
“What’s exciting about our approach is that it shows how precise, targeted biologics are provided not only for chronic therapy but also for prevention, where allergen strikes,” Tabynov added. “Our approach is noninvasive, needle-free and fast-moving [and] Reduce the load of allergens on the immune system and may help prevent allergic rhinitis from developing into more serious diseases such as bronchial asthma. ”
As people with pollen allergics know, allergic reactions often trigger a whole painful chain of reactions. For many patients, especially those with medical complications, the idea of blocking allergens will be a huge relief that cannot be taken from standard antihistamines. It’s also a time-saving, cheaper immunotherapy course that can take years to produce any effect.
So, is this what we will be picking up at the local pharmacy soon? depending on. Tabynov’s most optimistic estimate is that the first human-based research could be conducted in two to three years. Additional adjustments are needed to extend the protective effect of treatment on the human nose surface. But for lifelong pollen patients, it sounds like a promising start.
