CANARY- Childhood Allergy: Neutrophil Activation in Response to Nuts

Neutrophils are the most numerous white blood cells in the body. One of their main roles is  in defence from bacterial infection but there is growing evidence of wider roles including in allergic diseases.

This study aims to better understand the role played by neutrophils during anaphylaxis to nuts. Anaphylaxis is accompanied by an increase in the number of neutrophils in the blood as  well as neutrophil derived mediators such as myeloperoxidase and PAF. Whether neutrophils are directly activated by nuts, or act as amplifiers of the initial mast cell/basophil trigger response is unclear.

A modified basophil activation test has been developed as an in-vitro model of the allergic reaction allowing us to measure activation of both basophils and neutrophils in response to nut extract. Experiment swill be repeated with isolated neutrophils to better understand the direct activation of these cells but nuts.

It is hoped that the results of this study will help us to better understand the cells involved in anaphylaxis to nuts with the potential for new biomarkers or therapeutic targets.

Funder

Grants from TCD School of Medicine and TCD Research Office

Research Team & Collaborators

Prof Eleanor Molloy, PI and Academic Supervisor

Dr Aideen Byrne, Academic Supervisor

Dr James Trayer, PhD Student

Dr Johana Isaza-Correa, Post-doctoral Researcher

Dr Lynne Kelly, Post-doctoral Researcher

Prof Jonathan Hourihane, Consultant Paediatric Allergist

Dr Maeve Kelleher, Consultant Paediatric Allergist