Understanding how mast cells affect food allergy symptoms
Official title: Project 1: Mast cell orchestration of epithelial and neuronal responses
Funded at Food Allergy Science Initiative, INC. · NIH-11088831 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain cells in your body, called mast cells, work with your gut cells to cause symptoms like stomach pain and nausea when you have a food allergy, and it hopes to find new ways to help people manage their allergies better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Food Allergy Science Initiative, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | May 14, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $586,250 |
| NIH project number | 5P01AI179273-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11088831 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with diagnosed food allergies, particularly those experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without food allergies or those whose symptoms are unrelated to mast cell activity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of mast cells in food allergies, particularly how they interact with intestinal cells to influence allergic responses. By studying these interactions, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms that lead to symptoms like abdominal pain and nausea in individuals with food allergies. The approach includes both pre-clinical models and clinical observations to gather comprehensive data on mast cell behavior and its effects on the gut. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new treatments or management strategies for food allergies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for individuals suffering from food allergies, potentially reducing their symptoms and enhancing their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding mast cell functions in allergic responses, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Food Allergy Science Initiative, INC.
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Medzhitov, Ruslan — Food Allergy Science Initiative, INC.
- Study coordinator: Medzhitov, Ruslan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How gut nerves and immune cells interact in food allergy
This project looks at how contacts between gut nerves, immune cells, and hormone-producing gut cells affect allergic reactions to food for people with food allergies.
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How mast cells trigger gut lining and nerve responses in food allergy
This project looks at how immune cells called mast cells change the gut lining and nerves in people with food allergies.
-
How nerves and the immune system cause food allergy symptoms
This project explores how nerves and the immune system cause the symptoms people with food allergies feel, like nausea, breathing changes, and low blood pressure.
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Food allergy data hub
A centralized team will build online tools to analyze genetic and imaging data to help researchers studying food allergies and the people they treat.
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Custom genetically engineered mice for food allergy
This program creates specially modified mice to help scientists better understand and develop treatments for food allergies.
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How the nerves and immune system affect food allergies
Researchers are looking at how the nervous system and immune system interact in people with food allergies to find better ways to prevent and treat reactions.
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.