Latest news with #ElenaSalagean
Newsweek
29-07-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
New Hope for People With Asthma & Eczema
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. New understanding of a receptor key to allergic responses and anaphylaxis in conditions like asthma could offer a new treatment target for sufferers of a variety of conditions. This the promise of a study by researchers from China's Shenzhen and Wuhan universities, which have identified a mechanism that sustains the release of allergy-stimulating molecules from cells. Allergic conditions like asthma (affecting around 28 million people in the US) and eczema (31.6 million) have been on the rise in recent decades. The diseases are triggered by a type of white blood cell called mast cells, which release inflammatory molecules that promote allergic responses and create symptoms like itching, swelling and difficulty breathing. An illustration of an activated mast cell releasing histamine. An illustration of an activated mast cell releasing reactions begin when antibodies called 'lgE' produced by the immune system interact with 'FcεRI'—a receptor involved in allergies and parasite immunity—and antigens (a substance causing the immune system to react) on mast cells. This, the researchers explained, "set[s] the stage" for the release of allergic mediators. While scientists have considered targeting FcεRI as a promising treatment approach, it has so far been challenging to implement in the clinic. In the new study, however, the researchers focused on an enzyme called USP5, which controls the turnover of proteins and has been linked to inflammatory diseases like gum disease. They discovered that mast cells are dependent on USP5 to release allergy signaling molecules called histamine (hence common allergy medications called antihistamines) and β-hexosaminidase in response to lgE and antigen. The discovery, the researchers wrote, demonstrates "that USP5 may be an important target in the treatment of type I allergic diseases." Type I allergic diseases include hay fever, food allergy, anaphylaxis, most types of asthma and urticaria. "They are all IgE mediated reactions that involve mast cells as a shared target, but there are multiple pathways that contribute to their severity so it's not as simple as blocking one receptor, but it could be a useful addition to current treatment options," Dr. Elena Salagean, a consultant allergist at Holistic Allergy who was not involved in the present study, told Newsweek. Promisingly, in a mouse model of the potentially life-threatening and rapid allergic reaction, anaphylaxis, knocking out USP5 or treatment with the USP5 inhibitor called WP1130 was found to prevent mast cells from releasing the molecules and weakened allergic reactions. "The study shows a new potential target in reducing the release of histamine following contact with an allergen. Reducing histamine release from mast cells by blocking enzyme USP5 that's inside the mast cells means that less histamine will be released, so allergic reactions might be much milder," Dr. Salagean observed. "Previous studies have tried to block the whole of the mast cell receptors, with varying success. Rather than trying that, the novel part in this study is that it's targeting the receptor machinery, an enzyme called USP5 inside the cells, and by doing so, it affects how well this receptor works." Patient injecting let with auto epinephrine injector. Patient injecting let with auto epinephrine injector. Getty Images/AndreyPopov The research team also revealed that the interaction between IgE and FcεRI binding caused USP5 to perform a process called deubiquitylation, removing molecules from proteins. The biochemical modification further increased the stability of FcεRI, making the allergic reaction worse in terms of both strength and the time it lasts. "Current treatments work through various different ways, mostly blocking the downstream effects of mast cell activation. Antihistamines and steroids also block certain mediators, while biologics block chemicals and other enzymes in the allergy pathway," explained Dr. Salagean. "A USP5 inhibitor would be a direct blocker that works upstream at the control system of the mast cell receptors. By blocking this, it could reduce several mediators at the same time and reduce the strength of the mast cells response to an allergic reaction." Anaphylaxis is currently primarily treated with epinephrine (adrenaline), which can be administered with an auto-injector like an EpiPen, as well as urgent medical care. "It's all still early animal study findings but if one can design a drug that specifically targets and inhibits the USP5 enzyme, then it might have real potential. The difficulty lies in delivering it to right cells and making it selective enough, so it doesn't affect other enzymes or pathways at the same time. It's a long way out from being relevant to patients yet," added Dr. Salagean. Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about allergy treatments? Let us know via health@ Reference Zhou, Z.-W., Xu, X.-T., Liang, Q.-N., Zhou, Y.-M., Hu, W.-Z., Liu, S., Jiao, Y.-X., Zhang, S.-C., Ji, K., & Chen, J.-J. (2025). USP5 deubiquitylates and stabilizes FcεRIγ to enhance IgE-induced mast cell activation and allergic inflammation. Science Signaling, 18(799).
Tom's Guide
15-06-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
Experts warn not to dry bedding outside this summer — here's why
Drying your sheets outside on a bright sunny day seems like the natural thing to do. However, this cause problems for some sleepers, particularly those prone to allergies. According to the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, around 25.7% of adults suffered from seasonal allergies in 2021. While we recommend drying your bed sheets and pillow covers in the sun to get rid of dust mites and bacteria, this can also sometimes trigger allergy symptoms. We reached out to medical and cleaning experts to find out why this happens and what other effective alternatives are. Here's what they had to say… "It's well known that grass, tree and weed pollen can cling on to the bedsheets, particularly if these are made from cotton," says Dr. Elena Salagean, allergy consultant at Holistic Allergy. These can cause what experts call 'seasonal allergic rhinitis' or, simply put, pollen allergy or hay fever. But why does pollen aggravate or cause allergic reactions? Studies show that this is because our bodies mistakes pollen for a harmful substance and release a defensive response that can irritate our airways. This can result in various allergic symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing or red, watery eyes. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Even if we take precautions such as loading up on antihistamines or not going outside when the pollen count (defined as the amount of pollen in the air measured in grains per cubic meter) is high, we could still get exposed in other ways, like by drying bedsheets outside. "On a high pollen count day, bedding left outside can soak up high number of pollen particles, which you then bring indoors and breathe in at night. This can make your hay fever worse," explains Dr. Salagean. Tumble drying is the leading alternative recommended by experts to avoid pollen contamination. "You can use a tumble dryer with a good lint filter or dry them on an indoor clothes airer, ideally in a well ventilated room," says Dr. Hussain Ahmad, health practitioner at UK-based Click2Pharmacy. However, if you're drying sheets indoors, it's a good idea to invest in a dehumidifier as this can keep the moisture at bay, which can otherwise lead to mold or mildew growth. If you still prefer to dry outside, especially if it's a particularly bright sunny day, Dr. Salagean says that you can leave your sheets out for a few hours early in the afternoon. "This might just reduce the amount of pollen you bring back into the house. Even on a high pollen count day, the pollen levels tend to peak in early morning or late afternoon or early evening," she explains. The first step to get rid of allergens from your bedroom is to wash your bedding regularly. "Washing your bedding once a week at 60°C kills off dust mites and removes pollen or pet dander that might have settled on the fabric," says Dr. Ahmad. For a thorough cleanse, make sure to avoid overloading your machine, which is one of the most common washing mistakes to make. Apart from its sleep benefits, a warm shower before bed can also help prevent your allergies from getting triggered. "A quick shower before bed helps by rinsing off any allergens from your skin or hair, so you're not transferring them to your pillow," says Dr. Ahmad. This is important since your pillow and bedding are in direct contact with your skin and nose, which means an easy way for pollen to get into your system. As already mentioned, during high pollen count days, pollen levels can peak in the morning and evening. Closing your windows early in the evening can prevent pollen from getting into your clean bedroom and contaminating the environment hours before you're ready to sleep. This also depends on the season, as pollen levels tend to spike in spring and summer. Using an air purifier is an efficient way to trap microscopic particles like pollen which can cause irritations and allergies. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), air purifiers with HEPA filters (high-efficiency particulate air) can remove around 99.97% of dust mites, pollen and other particles up with a size of 0.3 microns. "You could even leave it on high power for 30 minutes - one hour before going to bed so it recirculates more of the air," recommends Dr. Salagean. Snuggling up with your furry friend might be the most comforting thing, but it can result in severe consequences for your allergies. While you might do everything to keep pollen out of your house, your pets could be an indirect source of still getting exposed to these nasty particles. "Keep pets out of the bedroom as they can also bring in pollen on their coats especially if they go outside," says Dr. Salagean. Yes, carpets and rugs might give you the perfect cottage-core aesthetic this summer but if you're prone to allergies, we would advise against it. "The fewer soft furnishings and clutter you have, the less dust there is to settle. If you can, swap carpets for hard flooring, which doesn't trap allergens like carpets do," says Dr. Ahmad. Can't do without them? Clean them regularly using one of the best vacuum cleaners with a HEPA filter. Your pillows, sheets, blankets or duvets are in direct contact with your skin and so while you can maintain them to be clean and free of particles, prevention is always better than cure. Thanks to modern manufacturing methods, we're now able to access bedding crafted from soft hypoallergenic materials like cotton, bamboo, kapok and memory foam which are resistant to dust mites, pollen and other common allergens.
