| Projecttitle | Food allergy: Risk evaluation and therapy |
|---|---|
| Investigators | Dr. J.J. Smit, drs. M. Marcondes Rezende, V.J. Schulz, MSc |
| Type of project | PhD project |
| Project leader | Dr. R.H.H. Pieters |
| Co-operation | Centre for Food Allergy and Functional Genomics (coordinator dr. A.H. Penninks); collaborators from UMCU (group of prof. dr. C. Bruijnzeel-Koomen), UU (group of prof. dr. W. van Eden), TNO-Quality of Life, Zeist (dr. J. van Bilsen) |
| Time frame | Continuous |
| Funded by | IRAS-UU, TNO |
| Short description | |
| Aim |
Goal of this project is
|
| Methods |
In a recently developed peanut food allergy model in mice, we investigate the role of various immune cells (such as (regulatory) T cells, NK cells and Dendritic Cells) and molecules (costimulatory molecules, cytokines) in the initiation and maintenance of food allergy. Specific cells or cell receptors will be blocked or stimulated by antibodies, and specific cells will be transferred to induce modulation of the immune response to the food allergen. In addition, potential ways to induce immunomodulation and tolerance to food allergens can be studied, including the use of certain pharmaceuticals or hormone like substances. Knowledge on these fundamental mechanisms will be translated to therapies and risk assessment approaches. |
| Details |
Immunological laboratory techniques (ELISA, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry), cell culture |
| Related projects |
Mucosal immunity and xenobiotics (Marianne Bol-Schoenmakers) |