Freshly discovered immune cells are accountable for persistent allergies

Two studies have identified immune cells that maintain allergies over the long term, potentially leading to new ways to diagnose, treat, or cure allergies.

These specialized immune cells, called MBC2s, hold the memory of proteins that cause allergies and are responsible for producing antibodies that lead to allergic reactions.

Researchers found that these cells are more abundant in individuals with allergies, and they are poised to switch from producing protective antibodies to allergy-causing antibodies, with the signal to switch partially depending on a protein called JAK. Scientists add that inhibiting this protein could prevent the memory cells from producing allergy-causing antibodies.