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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : October 7, 2014 5:58 PM IST
In what could open up potential new therapeutic strategies for a hard-to-treat food allergy, researchers have discovered that a novel genetic and molecular pathway in the foodpipe (esophagus) causes the disease. 'In a nutshell, we have used cutting edge genomic analysis of patient DNA as well as gene and protein analysis to explain why people develop EoE (eosinophillic esophagitis),' said Marc Rothenberg from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in the US.
Triggered by allergic hypersensitivity to certain foods, EoE can cause a variety of gastrointestinal complaints, including reflux-like symptoms, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing, tissue scarring, fibrosis, the formation of strictures and other medical complications. Over-accumulation in the esophagus of white blood cells called eosinophils (part of the body's immune system) may also lead to EoE, a chronic inflammatory disorder of the esophagus.
The researchers identified a molecular pathway specific to epithelial tissue in the esophagus involving a gene called CAPN14, which they found becomes dramatically up-regulated in the disease process. Epithelial cells help form the membrane of the esophagus. CAPN14 encodes an enzyme in the esophagus that is part of the disease process called calpain14 and because caplain14 can be targeted and inhibited by drugs, the study opens up new therapeutic strategies for researchers.
'This is a major breakthrough for this condition and gives us a new way to develop therapeutic strategies by modifying the expression of caplain14 and its activity,' Rothenberg said. The researchers used computer bioinformatics to conduct a genome-wide association study that analysed 2.5 million genetic variants in thousands of individuals with and without EoE. This allowed the authors to identify the genetic susceptibility within the CAPN14 gene. The study appeared in the journal Nature Genetics. (Read: Beware of food allergies!)
What is food allergy and how is it caused?
You may think that any negative reaction to food is called as allergy. But, that's not true. Your body can have several negative reactions to food, but all of them need not be allergic reactions.
Food allergies are reactions towards certain food components that involve the immune system. They occur when the cells of the immune system recognize a substance in food as harmful and try to destroy it. These substances which trigger an allergic reaction in the body are called allergens and the most common allergens in foods are proteins.
What are the most common food allergies?
While you may be allergic to almost any food you eat, common foods such as egg, wheat, peanuts, milk and chickpeas are related to almost 90% of food allergies found in India. The incidence of these allergies varies across India depending on food consumption in different regions, religions and cultures.
1. Wheat and corn allergy:
These allergies are common in children and adults who consume wheat and wheat products such as bread, cookies, malt products, alcoholic beverages, processed meat and seasonings. According to a report published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research (IJMR), wheat allergy is becoming more common in North India due to the varieties of wheat crops grown and the increased use of pesticides. It is found in both children and adults. If it develops during childhood, it lasts forever.
How is it recognized?
On eating anything that contains wheat and corn, if you notice the below symptoms you could be suffering from the allergy.
Why should you take it seriously?
Gluten allergy can cause serious allergic reactions leading to complications like chest pain and tightness, difficulty in breathing and swallowing, swelling of throat, pale skin and very low BP.
2. Allergy due to milk and milk products:
These allergies are common in children and adults who consume cow milk and milk products like ice-cream, lassi, buttermilk, cheese and yoghurt. In India, milk allergy is commonly found in metropolitan cities like Delhi, Bangalore, Madras and Mumbai where the use of milk powder, imported from Europe to provide reconstituted milk, and tetra pack milk or pooled milk is increasing. According to 1990 estimates, milk allergy was found in less than 5% of Indian population. But as of 2013, more than 50% of people residing in these cities now suffer allergies and health problems caused by milk and milk products. Read more about Could you be allergic to your food?
With inputs from IANS
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