Why some children have life‑threatening allergic reactions to food
Determinants of oral anaphylaxis to food
This work looks for genes and gut cell processes that let whole peanut and egg proteins cross the intestine and trigger severe allergic (anaphylactic) reactions in children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11146590 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use mouse models of peanut and egg allergy together with genetic mapping (QTL) and SNP genotyping to find chromosomal regions linked to oral anaphylaxis. They will focus on goblet cells and goblet cell‑associated antigen passages (GAPs), which can carry intact food proteins across the gut lining. The team will test drugs that change goblet cell biology to see whether reducing GAP activity lowers intestinal permeability and prevents anaphylaxis in animals. Findings will be integrated to identify molecular targets that could lead to treatments to keep allergens out of the bloodstream.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children (especially ages 0–11) with peanut or egg allergy and a history of severe or anaphylactic reactions would be the most likely candidates for future related clinical trials.
Not a fit: People without IgE‑mediated food allergies or those with non‑allergic food intolerances are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that strengthen the gut barrier or block allergen passage to reduce the risk of life‑threatening food‑triggered anaphylaxis.
How similar studies have performed: Prior mouse studies from this group found genetic links to increased GAP activity and showed that drugs affecting goblet cell biology reduced anaphylaxis in animals, but translating these findings to humans has not yet been done.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Williams, Adam — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Williams, Adam
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.