What do some allergies last a lifetime? Newly described immune cells to blame
Scientists may be a step closer to finally explaining why some allergies can last a lifetime while others fade. Turns out, the persistence of allergies may be linked to a unique type of immune cell. Allergies have long puzzled scientists — researchers don't fully understand why allergies affect some people but not others, or why allergies emerge in the first place. Previous research has found that the type of antibody most often associated with allergies is produced by cells that don't last very long in the body, which makes people's lifelong allergies harder to explain. Two new studies, published back-to-back in the journal Science Translational Medicine, might help solve that mystery. The studies, one of which examined children with allergies and the other adults , described a unique type of immune cell that hasn't been tied to allergies before. Related: The 5 most common seasonal allergies The cells typically produce a type of antibody not associated with a...