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Food allergy: immune mechanisms, diagnosis and immunotherapy

2016; Nature Portfolio; Volume: 16; Issue: 12 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1038/nri.2016.111

1474-1741

Wong Yu, Deborah M. Hussey Freeland, Kari C. Nadeau,

Allergic Rhinitis and Sensitization

Research into the immune mechanisms associated with healthy tolerance to common foods, the inflammatory response underlying food allergies, and immunotherapy-induced desensitization promises new approaches to the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of food allergy. Food allergy is a pathological, potentially deadly, immune reaction triggered by normally innocuous food protein antigens. The prevalence of food allergies is rising and the standard of care is not optimal, consisting of food-allergen avoidance and treatment of allergen-induced systemic reactions with adrenaline. Thus, accurate diagnosis, prevention and treatment are pressing needs, research into which has been catalysed by technological advances that are enabling a mechanistic understanding of food allergy at the cellular and molecular levels. We discuss the diagnosis and treatment of IgE-mediated food allergy in the context of the immune mechanisms associated with healthy tolerance to common foods, the inflammatory response underlying most food allergies, and immunotherapy-induced desensitization. We highlight promising research advances, therapeutic innovations and the challenges that remain.