Asthma Is a particular protein triggers seizures?

Asthma attacks are significantly controlled by a specific protein

Acute seizures are a major health risk in asthmatic disorders. Allergic asthma is caused by a special protein - interleukin 33 (IL-33), according to a recent study by French scientists. This finding could also open new approaches to asthma treatment.

• Protein IL-33 triggers asthma attacks.
• IL-33 breaks down into overactive fragments that initiate various chain reactions.
• Blockade of the protein could be used for treatment.

The research team of the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the National Institute for Medical Research (INSERM) has shown that allergic asthma is caused by the hyperfunction of the protein IL-33, according to the Scientific Department of the French Embassy in the Federal Republic of Germany from the study results. The study was published in the journal "Nature Immunology".

The protein IL-33 is significantly involved in the occurrence of acute seizures in allergic asthma. (Image: PIC4U / fotolia.com)

Allergic asthma is the most common form of the disease

Allergic asthma is the most common form of bronchial asthma, and sufferers have an acute asthma attack after exposure to allergens such as mites, pollen, and mold. If the allergens get into the respiratory tract, release enzymes (the so-called proteases), the experts explain the basis of the allergic reaction. Scientists at the Paul-Sabatier University in Toulouse, led by CNRS and INSERM, have now identified a mechanism that explains the onset of the asthma attack.

Protein IL-33 initiates chain reactions

The researchers showed that the protein IL-33 breaks down into overactive fragments upon contact with the proteases, which subsequently trigger a series of chain reactions that in turn are responsible for the onset of allergic symptoms. In the experiments, the IL-33 has responded to 14 common allergens, the researchers report. Among them were various types of pollen, mites, fungal spores and chemical products, which are increasingly used in certain work areas such as subtilisin, which occurs in some detergents.

Hope for new treatment approaches

Further investigations are needed to clarify whether the protein also opens up new approaches to asthma treatment. In a next step, the researchers plan to block the hyperfunction of IL-33 to prevent severe asthma attacks. If this succeeds, allergic asthma could potentially be much better controlled in the future. (Fp)