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The Genetics of Food Allergy

  • Food Allergy (T Green, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Food allergy likely arises from a complex interplay between environmental triggers and genetic susceptibility. Here, we review recent studies that have investigated the genetic pathways and mechanisms that may contribute to the pathogenesis of food allergy.

Recent Findings

A heritability component of food allergy has been observed in multiple studies. A number of monogenic diseases characterized by food allergy have elucidated pathways that may be important in pathogenesis. Several population-based genetic variants associated with food allergy have also been identified.

Summary

The genetic mechanisms that play a role in the development of food allergy are heterogeneous and complex. Advances in our understanding of the genetics of food allergy, and how this predisposition interacts with environmental exposures to lead to disease, will improve our understanding of the key pathways leading to food allergy and inform more effective prevention and treatment strategies.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vaccine Research Center, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA

    Cristina A. Carter

  2. Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, 10 Clinical Center Drive, Building 10, Room 11N240B, MSC 1889, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA

    Pamela A. Frischmeyer-Guerrerio

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  1. Cristina A. Carter
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Correspondence to Pamela A. Frischmeyer-Guerrerio.

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All reported studies/experiments with human or animal subjects performed by the authors have been previously published and complied with all applicable ethical standards (including the Helsinki declaration and its amendments, institutional/national research committee standards, and international/national/institutional guidelines).

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Food Allergy

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Carter, C.A., Frischmeyer-Guerrerio, P.A. The Genetics of Food Allergy. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 18, 2 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-018-0756-z

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