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MINI REVIEW article

Front. Allergy
Sec. Food Allergy
Volume 5 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/falgy.2024.1503380
This article is part of the Research Topic Gut Microbiota Changes: A Key Driver of Increased Food Allergy Prevalence View all 4 articles

The Gut Microbiome and Cross-reactivity of Food Allergens: Current Understanding, Insights, and Future Directions

Provisionally accepted
Carolina Taico Oliva Carolina Taico Oliva 1Ibrahim Musa Ibrahim Musa 1Daniel Kopulos Daniel Kopulos 1Anish R. Maskey Anish R. Maskey 1Aaron Wilson Aaron Wilson 1Fariba Ardalani Fariba Ardalani 1Nan Yang Nan Yang 2Xiu-Min Li Xiu-Min Li 1*
  • 1 New York Medical College, Valhalla, United States
  • 2 General Nutraceutical Technology, LLC, Elmsford, New York, United States

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    This mini-review examines the emerging role of the gut microbiome in influencing food allergen cross-reactivity. It specifically focuses on how microbial diversity, antigens, and metabolites impact IgE-mediated allergic responses. Cross-reactivity occurs when structurally similar food and microbial antigens trigger hypersensitivities, affecting millions of people worldwide. Recent research underscores the significance of microbial diversity in early life for developing immune tolerance. Beneficial strains, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, play a crucial role in supporting the functions of T regulatory cells (Tregs) and immunoglobulin A (IgA). Additionally, we discuss microbial metabolites, particularly short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which enhance immune tolerance by promoting Treg differentiation and maintaining gut barrier integrity, thereby reducing allergen entry. However, it is important to note that SCFAs can provoke inflammatory responses under certain conditions, highlighting the necessity for targeted research on their dual effects. Dysbiosis-related intestinal permeability, often referred to as "leaky gut," can further worsen cross-reactivity. Microbial antigens like lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are known to influence Th2-dominant responses.

    Keywords: gut microbiome, cross-reactivity, Probiotics, IgA, Short Chain Fatty Acids Article Type: Mini-Review Article

    Received: 28 Sep 2024; Accepted: 18 Dec 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Taico Oliva, Musa, Kopulos, R. Maskey, Wilson, Ardalani, Yang and Li. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Xiu-Min Li, New York Medical College, Valhalla, United States

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.