Role of tolerance in the development of eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases

Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2009 Feb;29(1):179-87, xiii. doi: 10.1016/j.iac.2008.10.001.

Abstract

Although the precise link is not completely understood, eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases have been shown to be highly associated with atopy. Oral tolerance describes the specific suppression of immune responses to an antigen by prior administration of the antigen by the oral route. Like other allergic gastrointestinal diseases, eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders may result from a loss of oral tolerance or a failure in the induction of tolerance. Further study to clarify the role of tolerance in the development of eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases can help identify potential prevention strategies and therapeutic targets.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Allergens / immunology
  • Allergens / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Antigen Presentation / immunology
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Desensitization, Immunologic / trends
  • Eosinophilia / complications
  • Eosinophilia / immunology*
  • Eosinophilia / therapy
  • Food Hypersensitivity / complications
  • Food Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Food Hypersensitivity / therapy
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / complications
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / immunology*
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / therapy
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance / immunology
  • Intestinal Mucosa / immunology
  • Mice
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / pathology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism*
  • Th2 Cells / pathology

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Cytokines