CePII receives KLIF research project of the Austrian Science fund

On October 8, 2012 Austrian minister of science Karlheinz Töchterle announced that Eva Untersmayr-Elsenhuber from the department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology in cooperation with Dr. Zsolt Szépfalusi and Dr. Susanne Diesner from the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine received one out of 17 nationwide clinical research project funded by the Austrian science funds FWF.

The aim of the funded project is the evaluation of serum levels of the sphingolipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), which contributes to allergic reactions, in food allergic children and if the S1P titers correlate with the outcome of anaphylaxis during double blind placebo controlled food challenges.

Further information on the project:
Food allergies represent an increasing health concern in the industrialized countries and especially affect pediatric patients. In this population adverse reactions against food compounds can lead to anaphylactic reactions. Despite substantial research efforts, clinical markers predicting disease severity and symptoms are missing to date. Recent studies have revealed that S1P play an essential role in allergy. It was reported that asthmatic patients have higher S1P levels in bronchiallavage fluids after allergen challenge. First experimental studies revealed a correlation of S1P and the outcome of anaphylaxis. Furthermore, recent mouse studies demonstrated that S1P homeostasis is pivotal for food allergy induction and effector cell response. Based on the results of the clinical research project, Dr. Untersmayr-Elsenhuber and her cooperation partners will evaluate S1P as a potential novel biomarker in allergy.