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Epigenetic Mechanisms in Food Allergy

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Handbook of Nutrition, Diet, and Epigenetics

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Abstract

Community rates of food allergy have been rising over the last 25 years at a rate too rapid to be explained by changes in genetics. Environmental changes brought about by urban development and industrialization have been linked to rising rates of food allergy. Modern environments are now less favorable for promoting healthy immune development in early life, and factors such as reduced microbial diversity and vitamin D insufficiency have been associated with higher rates of food allergy in young children. Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation mediate changes in gene expression, in response to environmental factors, and epigenetic states can be passed down to subsequent generations. Epigenetic mechanisms therefore provide a framework for understanding the mechanisms linking environment, genes, and the development of food allergies. Recent evidence suggests epigenetic perturbation at immune system genes is associated with childhood food allergy. The search for the causes of epigenetic disruption and the specific factors involved is now underway. Work in this area is anticipated to enhance our understanding of gene – environment interactions and their role in complex immune diseases like food allergy. In this review, we discuss the relevance of epigenetic research in understanding childhood food allergies and offer a state-of-play for scientific advancements in this area.

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Abbreviations

CD:

Cluster of differentiation

DBPCFC:

Double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge

DNA:

Deoxyribose nucleic acid

DNAm:

DNA methylation

DoHAD:

Developmental origins of health and disease

EWAS:

Epigenome-wide association study

IL:

Interleukin

MAPK:

Mitogen-activated kinase K

NF κB:

Nuclear Factor kappa B

SNP:

Single nucleotide polymorphism

Th:

T-helper

TNF:

Tumor necrosis factor

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gastro and Food Allergy, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    David J. Martino

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  1. David J. Martino
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Correspondence to David J. Martino .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London, UK

    Vinood B. Patel

  2. Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences Research Division, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, London, UK

    Victor R. Preedy

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Martino, D.J. (2019). Epigenetic Mechanisms in Food Allergy. In: Patel, V., Preedy, V. (eds) Handbook of Nutrition, Diet, and Epigenetics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-55530-0_85

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-55530-0_85

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

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