May 1, 2002 Scientists supported by the National Institute of
Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) have devised a new,
experimental approach to treating allergic diseases. In mice,
the scientists used a genetically engineered molecule to connect
two receptors on the key immune system cells that cause allergic
reactions. Cross-linking these receptor molecules short-
circuited the type of allergic reaction that leads to asthma,
allergic rhinitis, and even the potentially deadly anaphylaxis
caused by food allergy. "This work represents an entirely new
approach to treating allergic diseases," says NIAID Director
Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. "The prevalence of allergic disease has
increased significantly in recent decades, and there simply are
not many promising therapeutic strategies out there. We hope
that NIAID's continued support of research into the mechanisms
of allergy will lead to other innovative concepts like this
one." "This research does what science is supposed to do," says
Marshall Plaut, M.D., chief of