A new study published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation describes how messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, best known from COVID-19 vaccines, could open a new frontier in allergy treatment. Researchers tested an allergen-specific mRNA packaged in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and found it prevented and even reversed allergic disease in mice.
For people living with systemic mastocytosis (SM), allergic reactions are a frequent and sometimes life-threatening concern. Mast cells, which release histamine and other mediators, are central to both SM and allergic disease. While SM is not caused by allergen exposure, those affected by the disease often have heightened reactivity, so advances in allergy research could make a big impact on treatment options and quality of life.
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In the study, mice sensitized to allergens such as ovalbumin (a protein in egg white) and dust mites were given mRNA-LNPs encoding the relevant allergen. The treatment reshaped their immune systems. Instead of driving the pro-allergy T helper 2 (Th2) and T helper 17 (Th17) pathways, the therapy dampened these signals. The treated mice showed less airway inflammation, lower mucus production and improved breathing. The intervention worked not only as a preventive strategy but also after allergic disease was already established.
The researchers also found that treated mice maintained low levels of IgE, the antibody most strongly linked to mast cell activation and histamine release. At the same time, they produced allergen-specific IgG, which can act as a protective “blocking” antibody. For people with SM, therapies that keep IgE in check could be especially meaningful in reducing the risk of severe hypersensitivity.
This research is still in the early stages, and the experiments were conducted only in mice. It will take years of further testing before doctors know whether this approach is safe and effective in humans.
Still, the study authors say the research represents an important step, suggesting that mRNA technology could one day be used not just for infectious diseases but also for reprogramming allergic responses.
“This technology renders allergen-specific mRNA-LNP therapy as a promising approach for prevention and treatment of allergic diseases,” they concluded.
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