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D’Aiuto V, Mormile I, Granata F, Napolitano F, Lamagna L, Della Casa F, de Paulis A, Rossi FW. Worldwide Heterogeneity of Food Allergy: Focus on Peach Allergy in Southern Italy. J Clin Med 2024; 13:3259. [PMID: 38892968 PMCID: PMC11173152 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13113259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Food allergy (FA) has shown an increasing prevalence in the last decades, becoming a major public health problem. However, data on the prevalence of FA across the world are heterogeneous because they are influenced by several factors. Among IgE-mediated FA, an important role is played by FA related to plant-derived food which can result from the sensitization to a single protein (specific FA) or to homologous proteins present in different foods (cross-reactive FA) including non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs), profilins, and pathogenesis-related class 10 (PR-10). In addition, the clinical presentation of FA is widely heterogeneous ranging from mild symptoms to severe reactions up to anaphylaxis, most frequently associated with nsLTP-related FA (LTP syndrome). Considering the potential life-threatening nature of nsLTP-related FA, the patient's geographical setting should always be taken into account; thereby, it is highly recommended to build a personalized approach for managing FA across the world in the precision medicine era. For this reason, in this review, we aim to provide an overview of the prevalence of nsLTP-mediated allergies in the Mediterranean area and to point out the potential reasons for the different geographical significance of LTP-driven allergies with a particular focus on the allergenic properties of food allergens and their cross reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina D’Aiuto
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.D.); (I.M.); (F.N.); (F.D.C.); (A.d.P.); (F.W.R.)
| | - Ilaria Mormile
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.D.); (I.M.); (F.N.); (F.D.C.); (A.d.P.); (F.W.R.)
| | - Francescopaolo Granata
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.D.); (I.M.); (F.N.); (F.D.C.); (A.d.P.); (F.W.R.)
| | - Filomena Napolitano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.D.); (I.M.); (F.N.); (F.D.C.); (A.d.P.); (F.W.R.)
| | - Laura Lamagna
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Francesca Della Casa
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.D.); (I.M.); (F.N.); (F.D.C.); (A.d.P.); (F.W.R.)
| | - Amato de Paulis
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.D.); (I.M.); (F.N.); (F.D.C.); (A.d.P.); (F.W.R.)
- Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), WAO Center of Excellence, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Wanda Rossi
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.D.); (I.M.); (F.N.); (F.D.C.); (A.d.P.); (F.W.R.)
- Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), WAO Center of Excellence, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Abstract
The risk factors for food allergy (FA) include both genetic variants and environmental factors. Advances using both candidate-gene association studies and genome-wide approaches have led to the identification of FA-associated genes involved in immune responses and skin barrier functions. Epigenetic changes have also been associated with the risk of FA. In this chapter, we outline current understanding of the genetics, epigenetics and the interplay with environmental risk factors associated with FA. Future studies of gene-environment interactions, gene-gene interactions, and multi-omics integration may help shed light on the mechanisms of FA, and lead to improved diagnostic and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabet Johansson
- Division of Asthma Research, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3026, USA
| | - Tesfaye B Mersha
- Division of Asthma Research, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3026, USA.
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Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) allergic disease is an umbrella term used to describe a variety of adverse, food antigen-driven, immune-mediated diseases. Although these diseases vary mechanistically, common elements include a breakdown of immunologic tolerance, a biased type 2 immune response, and an impaired mucosal barrier. These pathways are influenced by diverse factors such as diet, infections, exposure to antibiotics and chemicals, GI microbiome composition, and genetic and epigenetic elements. Early childhood has emerged as a critical period when these factors have a dramatic impact on shaping the immune system and therefore triggering or protecting against the onset of GI allergic diseases. In this Review, we will discuss the latest findings on the molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern GI allergic diseases and how these findings have set the stage for emerging preventative and treatment strategies.
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Yu JE, Mallapaty A, Miller RL. It's not just the food you eat: Environmental factors in the development of food allergies. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 165:118-124. [PMID: 29689456 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The dramatic rise in the prevalence of food allergy and food allergy-associated anaphylaxis in the past few decades has fueled investigative interest into understanding this puzzling trend. Here, we review the question as to whether important external environmental determinants beyond dietary habits and exposure to food allergens are involved. This review will summarize our current understanding of these environment determinants, derived from the latest experimental and epidemiological research. Specifically, we will review the role of exposures that affect skin barrier function, development of a diverse microbiome, and food processing. Additional exposures of concern are insufficient sunlight, endocrine disrupting chemicals and pesticides, and use of specific pharmaceutical agents that may drive or modify the risk for food allergy. Despite limitations in the quantity and quality of research to date, many new epidemiological associations and experimental data in support of this paradigm have emerged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce E Yu
- Division of Allergy, Immunology, Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, PH8E-101, Columbia University Medical Center, 630 W. 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Anu Mallapaty
- Division of Allergy, Immunology, Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, PH8E-101, Columbia University Medical Center, 630 W. 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Rachel L Miller
- Division of Allergy, Immunology, Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, PH8E-101, Columbia University Medical Center, 630 W. 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA; Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, PH8E-101, Columbia University Medical Center, 630 W. 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, 722 W. 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA.
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