NIH News Release National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Diseases  Tuesday, April 30, 2002 5:00 p.m. EDT Contact: Jeff
Minerd (301) 402-1663  Experimental Therapy Stops Allergic
Reactions in Mice  Scientists supported by the National
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) have
devised a new, experimental approach to treating allergic
diseases. In mice, the scientists used a genetically engineered
molecule to connect two receptors on the key immune system cells
that cause allergic reactions. Cross-linking these receptor
molecules short-circuited the type of allergic reaction that
leads to asthma, allergic rhinitis, and even the potentially
deadly anaphylaxis caused by food allergy.  "This work
represents an entirely new approach to treating allergic
diseases," says NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. "The
prevalence of allergic disease has increased significantly in
recent decades, and there simply are not many promising
therapeutic strategies out there. We hope that NIAID's continued
supp