The results of these investigations will be used to develop strategies to prevent food allergy and treat food-allergic patients. Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed research for all applicable mechanisms of support will be solely that of the applicant. This PA will support research to investigate mechanisms of allergic responses in food allergic individuals and to develop new strategies to prevent or diminish allergic responses in these individuals. Allergic diseases represent a major cause of morbidity and disability in the United States.
Food allergy is the most frequent single cause of emergency room visits for anaphylaxis.
For those at risk of severe allergic reactions to food, the only effective treatment is strict dietary avoidance, but deaths may occur even in individuals who attempt to avoid suspect foods. Although allergen immunotherapy is useful for treating some allergic diseases, immunotherapy has not been proven beneficial in food allergy. Studies in animal models have defined components of the gastrointestinal mucosal immune system and have begun to characterize the circumstances and immunologic mechanisms whereby oral ingestion of antigen stimulates tolerance. However, there are no good animal models, analogous to human food allergy, in which oral ingestion of food stimulates IgE antibody responses. Research Objectives and Scope Research into the underlying mechanisms of food allergic reactions is needed because many important clinical observations about food allergy lack a sound scientific foundation.