2008 July 24; 454(7203): 445–454 | Stephen J. Galli, Mindy Tsai, and Adrian M. Piliponsky
The article provides an overview of allergic inflammation, a condition characterized by chronic inflammation in response to allergens. Allergic disorders, such as anaphylaxis, hay fever, eczema, and asthma, affect about 25% of people in developed countries. The development of these disorders involves the production of allergen-specific IgE and the expansion of allergen-specific T-cell populations. Allergic inflammation can be classified into early-phase and late-phase reactions, with the former occurring within minutes to hours after exposure to allergens and the latter developing several hours later. Chronic allergic inflammation, characterized by persistent inflammation and structural changes in affected organs, is a key feature of allergic diseases. The article discusses the role of mast cells in contributing to both acute and chronic allergic inflammation and explores various therapeutic approaches to manage allergic disorders, including immunotherapy and pharmacological interventions. It also highlights the importance of understanding gene-environment interactions and the potential for developing new treatments to prevent or control allergic inflammation.The article provides an overview of allergic inflammation, a condition characterized by chronic inflammation in response to allergens. Allergic disorders, such as anaphylaxis, hay fever, eczema, and asthma, affect about 25% of people in developed countries. The development of these disorders involves the production of allergen-specific IgE and the expansion of allergen-specific T-cell populations. Allergic inflammation can be classified into early-phase and late-phase reactions, with the former occurring within minutes to hours after exposure to allergens and the latter developing several hours later. Chronic allergic inflammation, characterized by persistent inflammation and structural changes in affected organs, is a key feature of allergic diseases. The article discusses the role of mast cells in contributing to both acute and chronic allergic inflammation and explores various therapeutic approaches to manage allergic disorders, including immunotherapy and pharmacological interventions. It also highlights the importance of understanding gene-environment interactions and the potential for developing new treatments to prevent or control allergic inflammation.