University of Michigan Researchers Make Breakthrough on Tick-Borne Allergy

The lone star tick is a tiny but troublesome pest. This summer these invasive pests have made their way into Michigan, bringing with them a serious health concern. Unlike other tick species which are primarily known for spreading Lyme disease, the lone star tick is notorious for triggering alpha-gal syndrome—a condition that causes an allergic reaction to red meat. As these ticks spread further north, their presence in Michigan has raised alarm, but researchers at the University of Michigan (UofM) may have found a way to mitigate the threat.

Alpha-gal syndrome has impacted an estimated 450,000 Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The condition can cause symptoms, from hives and nausea to more severe reactions like difficulty breathing and swelling. Unlike most food allergies, alpha-gal reactions typically occur hours after consuming red meat, making it harder to pinpoint the cause.

Read More: Urgent Alert: Dangerous Lone Star Tick Discovered in West Michigan

However, there’s hope on the horizon. Biomedical engineers at UofM have developed a groundbreaking treatment that could potentially reduce the allergic response. Their study, recently published in the journal *Frontiers in Allergy*, focuses on a sugar found in both red meat and the spit of the lone star tick. When the tick bites, it transmits this sugar into the human body, which can later trigger an immune response when red meat is consumed.

The UofM researchers created nanoparticles that effectively "retrain" the immune system to ignore the sugar. In experiments conducted at the University of Virginia, these nanoparticles were tested on mice. After just two treatments, 10 out of 12 mice showed a reduced immune response when exposed to ticks.

This discovery holds great promise not only for those affected by alpha-gal syndrome but also for other food allergies like those to eggs, peanuts, and even celiac disease. The U-M research team is hopeful that their platform technology could revolutionize how we treat a variety of allergic conditions.

As lone star ticks continue to spread, this breakthrough couldn't come at a better time for Michigan residents and beyond.