Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics

The Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology is focusing its research effort in two major areas. One major focus addresses the characterization of peanut and tree nut allergens responsible for clinical reactivity to peanuts and tree nuts, to define immunopathogenic mechanisms involved in peanut and tree nut allergic responses, and to develop an immunotherapeutic approach for modulating the allergic response in peanut and tree nut allergic patients. Three unique peanut proteins have been isolated, sequenced, and cloned. Recombinant proteins have been expressed and B cell epitopes mapped. A mouse model of peanut-induced anaphylaxis has been established, which closely mimics the human condition. Studies are underway to define the immunopathogenic mechanisms involved in the hypersensitivity response, to develop both a plasmid-DNA vaccine and a mutated "de-allergenized" protein for treatment of peanut hypersensitivity, and to elucidate the immune mechanisms initiated with plasmid-DNA therapy.

The second major focus of the Division is to examine the immunopathogenic mechanisms of food hypersensitivity disorders and to determine the immunologic changes associated with the development of clinical tolerance. Utilizing egg-allergic patients with atopic dermatitis as a model of food hypersensitivity, studies have characterized and compared the ovomucoid-specific T cell phenotype and cytokine profiles, and monocyte (antigen-presenting cell [APC]) cytokine profiles in egg-sensitive patients and normal controls. Longitudinal studies are underway to dissect T cell-APC interactions and examine changes in T cell and APC (i.e., monocyte/dendritic cell) responses to allergen. Studies examining the affinity and allergenic-epitope structural specificity of IgE antibodies are being carried out and may in part explain differences in patients with "fixed" and "transient" egg hypersensitivity.

Visit the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute Web site.

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