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Progress in Understanding the Epigenetic Basis for Immune Development, Immune Function, and the Rising Incidence of Allergic Disease

  • Anaphylaxis and Drug Allergy (P Lieberman and S Spector, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

The profile of allergic disease worldwide continues to change as the number of severe IgE-mediated allergies increases. This phenomenon is thought to reflect the outcome of combined genetic/environmental/developmental/stochastic effects on immune development, but understanding this remains a challenge. Epigenetic disruption at key immune genes during development has been proposed as a potential explanation for how environmental exposures may alter immune cell development and function. This represents an emerging area of research with the potential to yield new understanding of how disease risk is modified. Here, we examine recent developments in this field that are defining new epigenetic paradigms of allergic disease.

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Disclosure

Dr. Prescott has received grant support from the National Health and Medical Research Council and Ilhan Foundation and served on boards for Nestle, Danone, and ALK-Abello.

Dr. Martino reported no potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article.

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  1. Cancer and Disease Epigenetics, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3055, Australia

    David J. Martino

  2. School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia

    David J. Martino & Susan L. Prescott

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Correspondence to David J. Martino.

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Martino, D.J., Prescott, S.L. Progress in Understanding the Epigenetic Basis for Immune Development, Immune Function, and the Rising Incidence of Allergic Disease. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 13, 85–92 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-012-0312-1

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