How the gut lining affects severe food allergic reactions
Role of epithelial barrier function in food-induced anaphylaxis
Looks at whether a weakened intestinal barrier lets food proteins trigger dangerous allergic reactions in people with food allergies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11307104 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on a gut barrier protein called Junction Adhesion Molecule-A (JAM-A), which helps keep food proteins from leaking into tissues where they can trigger allergic reactions. Investigators use mice that lack JAM-A and show worse food allergy and more mast cells in the small intestine to understand how barrier leaks lead to strong Th2 immune responses and mast cell accumulation. They will also try blocking stem cell factor (SCF), a signal that drives mast cell growth and activation, to see if reducing mast cells lowers allergic reactions in susceptible animals. The findings could point toward new ways to prevent or reduce severe food-induced anaphylaxis by protecting the gut barrier or targeting mast cells.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with IgE-mediated food allergies—especially those with a history of severe reactions or anaphylaxis, including children—would be the most relevant to this line of research.
Not a fit: People without IgE-mediated food allergy, whose symptoms are not driven by intestinal barrier dysfunction, or who have different types of allergic conditions may not see direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could inform therapies that strengthen the gut barrier or decrease mast cell activity to lower the risk or severity of food-triggered anaphylaxis.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies have linked gut barrier defects and mast cell expansion to worse food allergy, but targeting JAM-A or SCF as therapies remains mainly preclinical and unproven in humans.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ptaschinski, Catherine Mary — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Ptaschinski, Catherine Mary
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.