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The mechanisms contributing to clinical immune tolerance are largely unknown. The objective of Syed et al was to study the changes associated with clinical immune tolerance in antigen induced T cells, basophils, and antibodies in subjects undergoing oral immunotherapy (OIT) for peanut allergy ( J Allergy Clin Immunol 2014; 133(2): 500-510 ). The induction of regulatory T (Treg) cells has been a potential mechanism of maintaining immune tolerance, with Treg deficiencies implicated in the development of allergies.  Fork head box protein 3 (Foxp3) is a transcription factor that regulates Tregs, including natural regulatory Tregs (nTregs) and induced regulatory Tregs (iTregs). Epigenetic modifications to regions within the Foxp3 locus have been associated with stable Foxp3 expression and Treg cell-suppressive function.   The authors investigated whether antigen-induced Tregs (aiTregs) and humoral and basophil immune markers are induced by OIT in clinically immune tolerant (IT...

The prevalence of food allergy is on the rise with up to 10% of the population afflicted, though remarkable advances have occurred in understanding and managing food allergies.  In their review article, Sicherer and Sampson focus on advances and updates in epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of food allergy ( J Allergy Clin Immunol 2014; 133(2): 291-307 ).  They explain that numerous genetic and environmental risk factors have been identified, with rectifiable risk factors such as vitamin D insufficiency, excess dietary fat, obesity, increased hygiene and timing of exposure to foods as being potential targets to address in prevention for the future.  Interesting clinical insights on route of sensitization, allergen characterization and immune response provide guidance for diagnosis and treatment. Allergen avoidance and emergency treatment remain the current management option for patients, although numerous clinical trials are underway for more definitive t...

Food allergy is a growing public health concern due to its increasing prevalence and life threatening potential.  Mouse models of food allergy have become useful tools for identifying the mechanisms involved in the sensitization of food allergens which are normally harmless as well as delineating the critical immune components of the effector phase of allergic reactions to food. In their review, Oyoshi et al have summarized the importance of animal models in food allergy research contrary to concerns regarding the relevance murine models have in understanding human disease ( J Allergy Clin Immunol 2014; 133(2): 309-317 ).  Mouse models have been exceedingly useful in the study of atopic dermatitis (AD) and asthma, paving the way for food allergy research.  For example, allergic sensitization or tolerance can be induced to specific allergens under controlled environmental conditions within defined genetic backgrounds that cannot be matched in human studies. The importance ...