British scientists have found a novel method to reduce allergic reactions - a discovery that could also help in autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis.

There are a number of types of T-cells in the body, including T-helper 1, which are important in autoimmune diseases; T-helper 2, which are important in allergies; and T-regulatory cells, reports health portal Emaxhealth Daily Health News.
In allergic diseases, the body produces too many T-helper 2 cells, and not enough T-regulatory cells. This can result in asthma, hay fever and allergic eczema.

Mark Larché from Imperial College London and colleagues discovered that by increasing the levels of CD4+ T-regulatory cells they were able to control the extent of the allergic inflammation.

They injected cat allergen synthetic peptides into volunteers to stimulate the growth of the regulatory cells, and found that the extent of the allergic reaction was reduced.

"This discovery is a hugely important step in our understanding of how immunity and inflammation play a role in allergic reactions," Larché said.

"Although we have known about the role of these regulatory immune cells for a number of years, this is the first time we have found a way to manipulate them to help control allergic reactions."

This discovery could also have implications for autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis, it said.