Skip to main navigationSkip to main content
The University of Southampton
Inducing Tolerance in Allergy

Inducing Tolerance in Allergy 

Allergies: problem of the modern society

Allergy is a chronic disease that is expected to affect more than 50% of all Europeans in 10 years' time. Recent break-through results demonstrate the correct administration of peanut to high-risk children significantly decreases their likelihood of developing allergy. In this study we aim to investigate how the function human skin residing immune cells is altered in allergic skin disease, and whether we can use them to induce long-lasting tolerance to allergens.

Skin as an attractive site for inducing immune tolerance to allergens

Skin is the largest body organ, and a major site for allergic disease, such as atopic dermatitis. We and other researchers have demonstrated, that skin contact with allergens can induce and worsen allergic responses. In contrast, it has also been shown, that skin can be successfully used as a gateway for therapeutic interventions, aimed at improving the body's immune defences. Such interventions on the skin would create an attractive strategy in allergy treatment and prevention, but we need to understand better how the immune responses are regulated in human skin.

ITA study

To better understand how skin can regulate body immune responses, and if we can design better treatment for allergic patients, we aim to investigate how immune responses in skin are formed, how skin of eczema patients reacts to allergens, and how can we change the allergic responses into immune tolerance. 

Privacy Settings