Cited by 275Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis ResearchDermatology and Skin DiseasesContact Dermatitis and Allergies

Epicutaneous sensitization in the development of food allergy: what is the evidence and how can this be prevented?

Open access
Brough, Helen A., Nadeau, Kari C., Sindher, Sayantani B., Alkotob, Shifaa S., Chan, Susan, Bahnson, Henry T., Leung, Donald Y. M., Lack, Gideon·2020·Allergy

Abstract

There is increasing evidence regarding the importance of allergic sensitization through the skin. In this review, we provide an overview of the atopic march and immune mechanism underlying the sensitization and effector phase of food allergy. We present experimental models and human data that support the concept of epicutaneous sensitization and how this forms one half of the dual‐allergen exposure hypothesis. We discuss specific important elements in the skin ( FLG and other skin barrier gene mutations, Langerhans cells, type 2 innate lymphoid cells, IL‐33, TSLP) that have important roles in the development of allergic responses as well as the body of evidence on environmental allergen exposure and how this can sensitize an individual. Given the link between skin barrier impairment, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, allergic asthma, and allergic rhinitis, it is logical that restoring the skin barrier and prevention or treating atopic dermatitis would have beneficial effects on prevention of related allergic diseases, particularly food allergy. We present the experimental and human studies that have evaluated this approach and discuss various factors which may influence the success of these approaches, such as the type of emollient chosen for the intervention, the role of managing skin inflammation, and differences between primary and secondary prevention of atopic dermatitis to achieve the desired outcome.

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Crossref · 10.1111/all.14304

Cites

173 of 173 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The gastrointestinal route, mainly between the 4th and 6th months of life, is generally associated with induction of tolerance, with regulatory T and B cells playing a role.

    “The gastrointestinal route, mainly in the interval between the 4th and 6th months of life, is generally associated with the induction of tolerance, as regulatory T and B cells have been described as playing a role in regulating the pathogenesis of AD and food allergy, as well as in the development of tolerance to the foods involved.”

    From Update on the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. (2024) · cites this paper as [9]

    The Pathogenesis of Food Allergy section (page unavailable) says early oral exposure causes tolerance, supporting the gastrointestinal-route part of the claim. The copy does not specify a 4th-to-6th-month interval or describe regulatory T and B cells as mediating that tolerance; they appear only in a reference title. The Limitations of Oral Tolerance Induction section instead describes a narrow window in early life without those details. (LLM, conf=0.87)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Skin barrier dysfunction in AD increases permeability to allergens and irritants, contributing to loss of hydration and persistence of subclinical skin inflammation.

    “The skin barrier dysfunction that occurs in AD increases permeability to allergens and irritants, contributing to loss of hydration and persistence of subclinical skin inflammation.”

    From Update on the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. (2024) · cites this paper as [9]

    The sections “Phenotypic Measure of Skin Barrier Dysfunction” and “Barrier Dysfunction and Its Role in AD and FA” state that impaired skin barriers allow greater water evaporation and penetration by allergens and irritants, and describe a cycle of inflammation and barrier disruption. The paper does not specifically establish that this process causes the persistence of subclinical skin inflammation. Page numbers were not provided in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • The main route for sensitization and perpetuation of food-induced hypersensitivity lesions is the cutaneous one.

    “The main route for sensitization and perpetuation of food-induced hypersensitivity lesions is the cutaneous one.”

    From Update on the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. (2024) · cites this paper as [9]

    The In Vitro Measures of Epicutaneous Sensitization section says the findings suggest peanut sensitization can originate in the skin. The Identifying Skin Barrier Markers section says skin immune responses may contribute to the persistence or severity of food allergy. Neither section establishes the skin as the main route or specifically addresses the perpetuation of food-induced hypersensitivity lesions; page numbers were unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Formation of subclinical inflammatory lesions and absorption of food antigens through the skin leads to sensitization in infants with AD.

    “The formation of subclinical inflammatory lesions and the absorption of food antigens through the skin, whether due to contamination in dust or the use of products containing food proteins, leads to sensitization in infants with AD.”

    From Update on the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. (2024) · cites this paper as [9]

    The Environmental Exposure to Allergens in Humans section (page unavailable) links peanut sensitization in children with AD to environmental peanut dust and reports an association between peanut-containing skin creams and peanut allergy. The Barrier Dysfunction and Atopic March sections describe how impaired, inflamed skin may permit allergen exposure and sensitization. But the paper does not establish that *subclinical inflammatory lesions* form and cause sensitization in infants with AD; the human exposure evidence is largely observational, so the sentence states the mechanism more definitively than the source does. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Epithelial barrier dysfunction induces type 2 immune responses and is considered an initial step in developing AD and the atopic march.

    “Epithelial barrier dysfunction induces type 2 immune responses and is considered an initial step in developing atopic dermatitis (AD) and the atopic march (14, 16, 17).”

    From Particulate matter causes skin barrier dysfunction. (2021) · cites this paper as [16]

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Cites

2 retracted

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. [127]Brough HAJ-L ZK; Logan K; Richards K; Perkin M; Peacock J; Flohr C; Lack G Early exposure to environmental peanut in dust is associated with the development of peanut allergy but this effect is abrogated by early peanut consumption In: European Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Annual Conference Munich, Germany; 2018.
  2. [171]Simpson EL, Chalmers JR, Hanifin JM, Thomas KS, Cork MJ, McLean WH, Emollient enhancement of the skin barrier from birth offers effective atopic dermatitis prevention. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2014; 134: 818– 823. 25282563 PMC4180007

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Authors
Brough, H. A., Nadeau, K. C., Sindher, S. B., Alkotob, S. S., Chan, S., Bahnson, H. T., Leung, D. Y. M., & Lack, G.
Affiliations
  • Guy's Hospital (GB)
  • Stanford Medicine (US)
  • Immune Tolerance Network (US)
  • National Jewish Health (US)
Corresponding author
Brough, Helen A.
Venue
Allergy
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2020-05-18
Volume
75
Issue
9
Pages
2185-2205
ISSN
  • 0105-4538 (ISSN-L)
  • 1398-9995
OpenAlex
W3014726894
Cited by
275
References
173
Citations by year
2026: 34 · 2025: 37 · 2024: 55 · 2023: 54 · 2022: 42 · 2021: 41 · 2020: 11
FWCI
4.96
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Allergy (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University
  • National Institutes of Health (R01AI140134, U19AI070535)
  • Levin Foundation
  • Reinhard Foundation
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Immunology and Allergy › Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatology and Skin Diseases
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Contact Dermatitis and Allergies
Keywords
epicutaneous sensitization, food allergy, atopic march, skin barrier, FLG gene mutations, Langerhans cells, ILC2, IL-33, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, atopic dermatitis, allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, emollients, atopic dermatitis prevention, skin inflammation
MeSH terms
Filaggrin Proteins, Allergens, Dermatitis, Atopic, Food Hypersensitivity, Humans, Immunity, Innate, Lymphocytes

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