Allergies

Learn More About Allergies

Allergies: Disease Overview

Allergies are one of the most common immune system conditions, impacting as many as one in five people. Common allergies include pollen, animal dander, dust, and foods including nuts, shellfish and milk.

At BRI, our allergy research includes understanding the cells that cause allergies and exploring therapies that can stop allergies or reduce sensitivity to allergens. We also study immune system diseases linked to allergies including eosinophilic esophagitis (EOE) and celiac disease.

What Are Allergies?

Allergies happen when your immune system reacts too strongly to a foreign substance, like mold, pet dander, insect bites or stings, or certain foods. People who don’t have allergies can come into contact with these substances and have no reaction, while people with allergies may sneeze, develop a runny nose, or experience swelling and rashes. In severe cases, people can experience anaphylaxis, a life-threatening medical emergency where the blood pressure drops suddenly and the airways narrow, making it difficult to breathe.

What Causes Allergies?

Allergies are rooted in an overactive immune system. While the immune system is supposed to fight off harmful invaders like viruses and bacteria, sometimes it gets confused and starts attacking when it shouldn’t. For example, in people who are allergic to pollen, their bodies sense pollen and get ready to fight — causing a runny nose, sneezing and other defenses meant for germs like viruses.

Scientists, including those at BRI, are still working to understand exactly what causes allergies and why some people develop allergies and others don’t. Genetics likely play a role in allergies, and people with a close family member with allergies are more likely to develop them. Environmental factors like air pollution or mold can also influence the likelihood of developing allergies.

What Is the Latest Research Into Allergies?

BRI's current research includes:

  • Understanding why some people develop allergies and others don’t.
  • Lab research into cells or processes to target to treat allergies.
  • Clinical trials that use immunotherapies that aim to make children with peanut allergies less sensitive to peanuts.
  • Exploring Th2A cells, a cell type discovered at BRI that plays a role in all allergies. Researchers are seeking ways to target these cells to reduce allergy symptoms or stop allergies altogether.
  • Understanding the role allergies play in eosinophilic esophagitis (EOE), a rare immune system condition that’s connected to food allergies and causes serious inflammation in the esophagus.

Labs studying allergies

Altman Lab Main

Altman Lab

The Altman lab focuses on use of whole genome transcriptional profiling and multi-omics approaches, and leverages big-data computational biology to understand the molecular mechanisms underpinning severe asthma and other immunologic diseases.
View Lab
Campbell Lab Main

Campbell Lab

The Campbell laboratory is interested in understanding the basis for T cell activation, function and tolerance.
View Lab
Cerosaletti Research Project Main - Autoreactive T cells in type 1 diabetes

Cerosaletti Lab

Dr. Cerosaletti’s research is focused on the role of the adaptive immune system in the development and progression of immune mediated diseases and the response to treatment.
View Lab
Kwok Research Project Main - DNA-barcoded HLA class II tetramers

Kwok Lab

The Kwok lab uses tetramers and other antigen specific T cell assays to examine autoreactive T cells in  autoimmune diseases in order to provide insights into disease mechanisms and identify strategies for disease intervention.
View Lab
Ziegler Lab Main

Ziegler Lab

The Ziegler laboratory is investigating the role of the epithelial cytokines TSLP and IL-33 in regulating protective responses at mucosal barrier surfaces such as the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts.
View Lab

Clinical Research Studies in Allergies

Studies labeled as “Enrolling” are actively recruiting new participants while studies labeled as “Closed to Enrollment” are still active but no longer seeking new participants.

 

Please email the Clinical Trials Unit or call (206) 287-6260 for more information.

 

Are you living with allergies?

Support allergy research at BRI by participating in our allergies and asthma biorepository.

Blog Stories

Blog Main Image - Man Coding Single Screen
June 30, 2023

Big Data Reveals Surprising Defense Against COVID-19

“If you’d asked me in March 2020, I’d have said the pandemic was going to be really bad for my asthma patients. But we saw the opposite,” says Matt Altman, MD, MPhil, who treats patients with allergies and asthma at UW Medicine and conducts research at BRI.
Read Article
Dr. Buckner reviewing information
February 4, 2023

BRI's Vision of Immune Health

A message from BRI President Jane Buckner, MD, about BRI's new, broader vision for immune health.
Read Article
Blog Main Image - Peanut Butter in Jar Top View
April 11, 2022

Progress Against Peanut Allergies

One question inspired Erik Wambre, PhD, to dedicate his career to allergy research. “Why can most people eat peanuts without a problem, but some people have a serious reaction to just a small amount?” he says. “What makes one person allergic and not another?”

Read Article

Immuno-what? Hear the latest from BRI

Keep up to date on our latest research, new clinical trials and exciting publications.