As part of a study that received significant funding from CK-CARE, scientists at the Helmholtz Zentrum in Munich and the Technische Universität München have discovered a new mechanism that explains how non-allergenic pollen constituents can exacerbate allergies. The so-called B cells play a crucial role in this mechanism. Until now, it has been assumed that the dendritic cells were primarily responsible for any allergy-promoting effects by non-allergenic plant constituents. The newly discovered mechanism relating to B cells therefore presents a new viewpoint on this subject and offers new approaches for the development of therapies in allergic diseases.
“Since the prevalence of pollen constituents may also depend on climatic factors, we, together with the Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology (BIOP), intend to continue monitoring whether changing climatic conditions are exerting an influence on the B-cell mediated allergenicity of pollen,” explains Prof. Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann, Director of CK-CARE.
Annual Report CK-CARE 2023
30. May 2024
CK-CARE’s work has global resonance and, thanks to this strong position, significant projects in clinical allergy research were again launched or catalysed in the reporting year. CK-CARE’s working methods were sharpened in terms of medical translation and a strengthening of research capacities on the medical campus in Davos was defined in order to increase CK-CARE’s performance.
