1. Understanding the mechanism underlying
food allergy development
Both genetic and environmental factors influence the maintenance
of immune homeostasis and the development of food allergy.
When the immune system in early life encounters food antigens
genetic, environmental and dietary influences lead to an immune
response where either tolerance develops to the antigen or
an immune activation and hypersensitivity results.
We are assessing immune response profiles to dietary antigens
in the presence and absence of a genetic predisposition toward
allergy. The food antigens we focus on include cow's milk
antigens, to which resolution of allergy usually occurs over
time, as well as peanut, which frequently results in lifelong
hypersensitivity and potential anaphylaxis. We are focusing
on the development
of specialised sets of T regulatory cells as well as immune
cell surface molecules involved in recruitment and influx
of immune cells.
The project will provide information on the best time to
intervene with a preventative therapy in infants with a hereditary
risk of allergy.
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