Science

n2doc

(47,953 posts) Thu Jul 25, 2013, 10:52 AM Jul 2013

Scientists discover what triggers allergic reactions to cats

HEATHER SAUL THURSDAY 25 JULY 2013

Scientists have discovered the trigger for allergic reactions to cats, paving the way for developing preventative treatments.

A team at the University of Cambridge looked at the immune system's extreme reaction to cat allergens and discovered that the most common cause of severe allergic reactions are because of the Fel d 1 protein found in particles of cat skin, know as cat dander.

In a study published in the Journal of Immunology, researchers found that cat allergens activate a pathway in the body when in the presence of a common environmental bacterial toxin know as LPS.

Now, new treatments could be developed that attempt to block this pathway and inhibit allergic reactions.

more
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/scientists-discover-what-triggers-allergic-reactions-to-cats-8731181.html

11 replies

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Scientists discover what triggers allergic reactions to cats (Original Post) n2doc Jul 2013 OP

this is news? really? I have known this for years. niyad Jul 2013 #1

You discovered the protein that causes cat allergies? The Velveteen Ocelot Jul 2013 #3

I read it in some science piece many years ago, thought it was a pretty well-known fact. niyad Jul 2013 #10

The fact that it's dander and not fur has been well-known for years. What's new here The Velveteen Ocelot Jul 2013 #11

There's also a vaccine in the works, undergoing tests Warpy Jul 2013 #9

LPS on Wikipedia Sentath Jul 2013 #2

Wow - this is like the discovery that ulcers are caused by bacteria. nt bananas Jul 2013 #4

"cat allergen triggers an immune receptor that is also involved in allergic responses to dust mites" bananas Jul 2013 #5

I cross-posted this to LBN bananas Jul 2013 #6

So until a good cure is found TlalocW Jul 2013 #7

One of my good friends libodem Jul 2013 #8

niyad

(113,413 posts)

1. this is news? really? I have known this for years.

Reply to n2doc (Original post)

Thu Jul 25, 2013, 11:10 AM

Jul 2013

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,751 posts)

3. You discovered the protein that causes cat allergies?

Reply to niyad (Reply #1)

Thu Jul 25, 2013, 11:18 AM

Jul 2013

Why didn't you tell somebody and save these scientists all that bother?

niyad

(113,413 posts)

10. I read it in some science piece many years ago, thought it was a pretty well-known fact.

Reply to The Velveteen Ocelot (Reply #3)

Thu Jul 25, 2013, 06:47 PM

Jul 2013

most of the people I know who are allergic know it is the dander.

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,751 posts)

11. The fact that it's dander and not fur has been well-known for years. What's new here

Reply to niyad (Reply #10)

Thu Jul 25, 2013, 07:03 PM

Jul 2013

is the discovery of the specific protein and the reaction of certain bacteria. This means a vaccine is possible.

Warpy

(111,282 posts)

9. There's also a vaccine in the works, undergoing tests

Reply to niyad (Reply #1)

Thu Jul 25, 2013, 02:22 PM

Jul 2013

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-22/circassia-to-sell-own-cat-allergy-vaccine-if-test-works.html

Until then, people who love cats but are allergic to them have one remedy: the Siberian cat doesn't produce the main cat allergen. They're beautiful long haired cats with sweet dispositions.

Sentath

(2,243 posts)

2. LPS on Wikipedia

Reply to n2doc (Original post)

Thu Jul 25, 2013, 11:17 AM

Jul 2013

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipopolysaccharide

So it requires infection with a Gram-negative pathogen AND exposure to Fel d 1?

bananas

(27,509 posts)

4. Wow - this is like the discovery that ulcers are caused by bacteria. nt

Reply to Sentath (Reply #2)

Thu Jul 25, 2013, 11:35 AM

Jul 2013

bananas

(27,509 posts)

5. "cat allergen triggers an immune receptor that is also involved in allergic responses to dust mites"

Reply to Sentath (Reply #2)

Thu Jul 25, 2013, 11:48 AM

Jul 2013

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263905.php

Cat allergy discovery promises new treatments

Article Date: 25 Jul 2013 - 3:00 PDT

New research led by the University of Cambridge in the UK has discovered the reason for the extreme immune reaction in some people who are allergic to cats. A study published online this week in the Journal of Immunology explains how the cat allergen Fel d 1 triggers an immune receptor that is also involved in allergic responses to dust mites.

Lead author Dr. Clare Bryant, from Cambridge's Department of Veterinary Medicine, told the press:

"We are hopeful that our research will lead to new and improved treatments for cat and possibly dog allergy sufferers."

The idea is that new drugs could target the pathway to the newly discovered receptor so it can't trigger the severe immune response in affected people.

<snip>

bananas

(27,509 posts)

6. I cross-posted this to LBN

Reply to n2doc (Original post)

Thu Jul 25, 2013, 11:50 AM

Jul 2013

because this is really big news (for some us)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014548216

TlalocW

(15,384 posts)

7. So until a good cure is found

Reply to n2doc (Original post)

Thu Jul 25, 2013, 12:16 PM

Jul 2013

Continue shampooing Tabby in Denorex. The slight tingling that you barely feel (due to the excruciating pain you have from it getting in the scratches you cat gave you) tell you it's working!

TlalocW

libodem

(19,288 posts)

8. One of my good friends

Reply to n2doc (Original post)

Thu Jul 25, 2013, 12:21 PM

Jul 2013

Takes shots to reduce her reaction. But if she comes over to one of our houses that have cats she needs a benadryl. She gets all stuffed up.

My son, gets asthema, when he is exposed. After he moved out he didn't even need a rescue inhaler, anymore. He can't even baby sit my cat without wheezing.

I'm glad there is progress.

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