Friday, April 13, 2012

New Molecule Discovered in Fight Against Allergy

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="350" caption="Magnified image of a house dust mite"][/caption]

"Allergy is a disorder caused by the body’s immune system reacting to harmless substances found in the environment," which are known as allergens (Sciencedaily. 2012. New Molecule Discovered in Fight Against Allergy). Scientists have identified a molecule, DC-SIGN, which helps reduce the body’s allergic response to house dust mites.  This molecule is found on the surface of the immune cells, which binds to major allergens from dust mites.  The binding of allergens to DC-SIGN on antigen cells may allow for a mechanism that could reduce the itchy eyes, runny nose, and sneezing responses.

I hope this discovery will eventually result in new and better treatments for people allergic to dust mites, since they are one of the allergens that kick my butt every year.  This would be a great improvement because there are no allergy medicines that are specific to a certain allergen.  The medicines I take are just a general allergy medicine.  People can go to a doctor and get shots for their allergies once a month, but who really wants to pay and be forced to do that all the time?  I know I don’t.  I hope this is the start to really help the millions of people who suffer from allergies.

No comments:

Post a Comment