Fungal Proteases in the Preventative Treatment of Peanut Allergies: A Research Protocol

Abstract

Peanut allergies are a common autoimmune disorder that impacts millions of people worldwide. Currently, there are no known treatments to prevent allergic reactions to peanuts besides avoiding the allergen. To combat this, previous studies have found that fungal proteases can prevent an allergic response; the fungal proteases bind a peanut-specific IgE immunoglobulin, blocking the allergic response. We propose to orally administer these previously identified fungal proteases isolated from the fungus Aspergillus Niger before exposure to peanut antigens. If the fungal proteases successfully bind the peanut-specific IgE before exposure, peanut allergenicity will be reduced. To test our experimental drug, we will utilize peanut-sensitized mice strains, with one control group receiving a placebo and two treatment groups receiving either a high dose of 2.5mg or regular dose of 1.25mg of the drug. All three groups will then be exposed to the peanut allergen, and allergy responses will be monitored through body temperature measurements, blood histamine tests and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing the presence of peanut-specific IgE. We anticipate that the fungal proteases will prevent all allergic reaction responses from occurring such that body temperature will remain stable, blood histamine levels will not increase, and the presence of peanut-specific IgE will be lessened. This novel oral drug will be used as a pre-exposure preventative treatment, unlike the current post-exposure treatments, such as an Epi-pen, filling a key gap in knowledge of preventative treatment for peanut allergies.