Examining the immunomodulatory role of Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri (Hpb) in inducing tolerance to an oral allergen 4543

Abstract Description In recent decades, Food Allergies (FA) have increased significantly among adults and children worldwide. In the U.S., roughly 32 million individuals, including 6 million children, suffer from FA, resulting in more hospital visits due to food-related anaphylaxis. This trend raises substantial health concerns, emphasizing the urgent need for innovative prevention and management strategies. The immune mechanisms explaining how and why specific foods cause allergic reactions have yet to be fully understood. Food allergies may occur due to a failure to develop tolerance to certain food antigens or due to failure to control the magnitude of a response. Helminth parasites also stimulate type-2 immune responses. Many studies emphasize the crucial function of helminths in promoting resistance and facilitating immune evasion through tolerance, thereby preventing immunopathology in inflammatory conditions. In particular, helminth infections are known to prevent the development of allergies. We aim to understand how parasitic infections alter the hypersensitive state and how ongoing chronic infections can affect sensitization to food allergens. Additionally, we explore whether the immune modulation and remodeling caused by Hpb in the small intestine could aid in developing oral tolerance to food allergens. Funding Sources Supported by NIH T32 DK 7017-47 and lab funding through the Food Allergy Science Initiative and HHMI. Topic Categories Immediate Hypersensitivity, Asthma, and Allergic Responses (HYP)