Interleukin-12 (IL-12): The Answer to Food Allergies?

Filed in archive Allergy: Research and Development , Food Allergies on July 6, 2007

We all know that there is currently no treatment for food allergies. The allergic reactions brought about by food allergens are the one treated, but the individual's food allergy remains as is. The only way is to stay away from the foods you are allergic to as much as possible.

Now, scientists at the Institute of Food Research in Norwich led by Dr. Claudio Nicoletti have identified a vital molecule - Interleukin-12 (IL-12) - that can be a potential target for food allergy Therapy.

According to Dr. Claudio Nicoletti:

"Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is absent during allergic responses. Maybe by delivering an allergen in the presence of IL-12, allergic reactions could be brought back under control.

A food protein can be perfectly harmless to one person and lethal to another. We have identified the missing molecule that normally keeps immune responses under control and appropriate.

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."

Okay, let us leave it to the experts. They sure have a lot of work to do. Identifying the molecule is just the first step of many. But we will be waiting if this finding will lead to a food allergy therapy.

Source: Institute of Food Research, Norwich