title: T lymphocytes in food allergy: overview of an intricate network of circulating and organ-resident cells.
abstract: Although food hypersensitivity might be divided in IgE- and non-IgE mediated food allergy, there is a large body of evidence implicating T lymphocytes overall in the pathogenesis of food allergy. Priming of naive T cells will occur mainly in Peyer's patches (PP), where surface receptors (l-selectin, CCR7 and CXCR4) will help to initiate diapedesis of the cells to the submucosa. Various antigen-presenting cells (e.g. dendritic cells, M cells) will present food antigen-derived epitopes and initiate either non-responsiveness, or a food-mediated immune response. Food-specific memory T cells express various surface receptors such as the alpha4beta7-integrin, or the cutaneous lymphocyte antigen. It is speculated, that they might also express specific chemokine receptors (CCR4, CCR7 or CCR9). Organ-specific homing will be facilitated through the corresponding receptors (i.e. MAdCAM-1 in the gut, VCAM-1 or fibronectin in other mucosal organs, or E-selectin in the skin). Locally secreted chemokines might help to attract T cells through their corresponding chemokine receptors. Finally, potential T-cell directed therapeutic interventions (peptide-derived immunotherapy, DNA vaccination, or strategies preventing T cells from trafficking to target organs) are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, and Division of Immunology and Allergy, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. Philippe.Eigenmann@hcuge.ch
authors.forename: Philippe A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Eigenmann
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D018925:Chemokines / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D004064:Digestive System / Q000276:immunology; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D007167:Immunotherapy; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism; D018448:Models, Immunological; D010581:Peyer's Patches / Q000276:immunology; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D018925:Chemokines; D016023:Integrins; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine