The Effect of Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibition on Mast Cell Development

Overview

The prevalence of allergies among developed countries is steadily increasing. With this comes an increase in dangerous cases of anaphylaxis and other related emergencies. These emergencies detrimentally affect multiple body systems, creating life-threatening conditions. These responses are controlled by type 2 immune responses, in which mast cells play a large role as initiator and effector cells. There is a proposed function of carbonic anhydrase 1 and 2, two pH regulating enzymes, in these cells. This study explores this function as a potential target for controlling allergies. This treatment could stop the allergic response at its root by preventing the initiation of the reaction. This is opposed to antihistamines, which simply block receptors that bind released products after the initiation of the allergic response. This study cultured leukocytes collected from hematopoietic stem cells with methazolamide and varying concentrations of altizide, two carbonic anhydrase inhibition drugs. Methazolamide is currently FDA approved for the treatment of glaucoma and ulcers, and neither drug is currently approved for the treatment of allergies in humans. Flow cytometry was used to count the populations of the various types of cells within the leukocyte cultures, in order to explore the effect carbonic anhydrase had on the cells. The study found that the inhibition of carbonic anhydrase resulted in significantly reduced populations of mast cells, a type of leukocyte. This opens the potential for further studies into the specific role these enzymes take in mast cell function and development, which will hopefully lead to the development of new allergy treatments.

Competition history

• AJAS 2020 Category not listed

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