How tiny sugar changes on allergy antibodies affect severe allergic reactions
Non-Templated Regulation of IgE Mediated Anaphylaxis
This project looks at whether small sugar differences on IgE allergy antibodies make people with allergies more or less likely to have dangerous reactions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11228799 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Scientists will compare the sugar decorations (glycans) on IgE antibodies from adults with peanut allergy and adults without allergies and look for consistent differences. They will remove a specific sugar called sialic acid from IgE in lab tests and in mice to see how that changes allergic reactions and cell activation. The team will study how these sugar patterns interact with receptors on mast cells and basophils to find pathways that dial allergy responses up or down. Their work aims to identify biomarkers and new targets that could help prevent or treat severe allergic reactions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (age 21+) with IgE-mediated peanut allergy and adults without allergies who can give blood samples would be the most appropriate participants.
Not a fit: Children, people without IgE-mediated allergic conditions, or those unable to give blood are unlikely to directly benefit from participating in this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify biomarkers to predict severe allergies and point to new treatments that reduce anaphylaxis risk.
How similar studies have performed: Early lab and mouse experiments from the team show that removing sialic acid on IgE reduces anaphylaxis, so the approach builds on promising but still preliminary findings.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Anthony, Robert Mccullough — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Anthony, Robert Mccullough
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.