House Dust Mites: Key Triggers of Allergic Asthma Uncovered
New research from the University of Pittsburgh reveals how house dust mites trigger allergic asthma by activating the immune system in mice. The study, published in Nature Immunology, shows that inhaled dust mites activate T Helper 2 (Th2) cells through a molecular pathway involving the protein BLIMP1, which is not required when allergens are injected. The findings highlight the roles of cytokines IL2 and IL10 in this process, suggesting potential new therapeutic targets for allergic asthma, which is increasingly common and burdensome.
