The gut’s role in food allergy

Monday, 24 May 2010 09:31

In normal circumstances, the mucosal membrane of the gut, in addition to digestion mechanisms and other immunologic factors, provide defence against food antigens. A recent review has looked at research into the role of the gastrointestinal tract in the development of tolerance to allergenic foods.

Defects in the normal gut barrier appear to lead to the development of aberrant immunologic responses, such as allergic reactions and hypersensitivity. Evidence reported in the review indicates that healthy mucosal immunity, plus an appropriate feeding regimen during early infancy, will favour food tolerance. However, in addition to genetic predisposition, development of allergy is facilitated by defects in the gut barrier (immune or nonimmune) and the food allergen load.

Reference: Chahine & Bahna 2010. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Vol.10(3) pp. 220-5.