The T lymphocyte in food-allergy disorders.
OBJECTIVE
While much attention is focused upon the role of IgE antibodies in food-allergy disorders, the T cell remains central to all forms, both IgE and non-IgE-mediated, of food-hypersensitivity responses. This review considers the central role of the T cell in this group of disorders and provides a comprehensive overview of recent studies that elucidate our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of food allergy in regard to the role of the T cell.


RESULTS
Recent studies have defined a dynamic process involving T cell homing receptors (e.g. cutaneous lymphocyte antigen) and activation markers in food-hypersensitivity disorders. Modulation of the T-cell responses occurs through the recognition of dominant allergenic epitopes, the elaboration of regulatory cytokines (e.g. transforming growth factor-beta, IL-4, IL-5, tumor necrosis factor-alpha) and the influence of immunomodulatory microbial and environmental agents. The resulting disorders reflect T-cell dysregulation.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant recent advances in our understanding of the role of the T cell in food hypersensitivity have been made and will probably contribute to improved diagnostic and treatment methods in the near future.
Eigenmann
Philippe A
PA
Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. Phillipe.Eigenmann@hcuge.ch
Frossard
Christophe P
CP
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D000918:Antibody Specificity / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D016207:Cytokines; C026408:anti-IgE antibodies; D007073:Immunoglobulin E