# Understanding alpha-gal red meat allergy

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2024 · $770,209

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
 Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be rapidly progressing and fatal. In instances where the
triggering allergen is not known, establishing the etiology of anaphylaxis is pivotal to long-term risk management.
Our recent work has identified a novel IgE antibody response to a mammalian oligosaccharide epitope,
galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal), that has been associated with two distinct forms of anaphylaxis: i)
immediate onset anaphylaxis during first exposure to intravenous cetuximab, and ii) delayed onset anaphylaxis
3-6 hours after ingestion of mammalian food products (e.g., beef and pork). The overarching goal for this renewal
is to define whether the risk for development of an alpha-gal IgE response is intrinsic to the host (genetics) or
external with a specific factor in ticks. These studies will provide insight into the factors that govern allergic
responses and control IgE production more generally.
 The significance of investigating these reactions comes not only from the obvious importance of understanding
a novel life-threatening form of food allergy, but also because of the possibility of defining a totally new
mechanism for reactions related to an important food substance. Our plan of research focuses on using a cutting-
edge, combined transcriptomic (single cell RNA sequencing) and surface marker expression approach to deeply
immunophenotype the cells in humans with alpha-gal allergy. This approach will allow us to define the factors
underpinning how tick bites transcriptionally initiate the IgE response. We believe that IgE to alpha-gal represents
a novel cause of food allergy and overall, these studies are uniquely positioned to provide additional insight into
a recently recognized allergic response that affects >40,000 patients in the U.S. alone and position the research
to make important advances for prevention and treatment of alpha-gal syndrome (AGS).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10881375
- **Project number:** 2R01AI135049-06A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Scott Palmer Commins
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $770,209
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2018-09-24 → 2029-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10881375

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10881375, Understanding alpha-gal red meat allergy (2R01AI135049-06A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-14 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10881375. Licensed CC0.

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