Background and Aims

Background and aims: Allergy and autoimmunity are two potential outcomes of a dysregulated immune system. The relationship between allergy and autoimmune disorders is complex and poorly understood.

The aim of this presentation is to summarize similarities and differences of factors influencing the pathogenesis of autoimmune and allergic disease.

Methods

The current literature was reviewed using key words: Autoimmunity, allergy, HLA, cytokines, autoantigens, GWAS, SNP, Tregs.

Results

Autoimmune diseases, can reflect the interplay of both Th1- and Th2-associated mechanisms.

Epidemiological data indicate that the prevalence of both allergies and autoimmune diseases increase in parallel.

IgE autoreactivity exists in allergy and autoimmunity.

Autoantigens can trigger IgE-dependent inflammation in allergy.

Evidence for non-IgE-mediated inflammation in allergy via autoimmune mechanisms was found.

Shared genetic susceptibility loci and commonalities in pathways between allergy and autoimmune diseases exist, suggesting shared disease mechanisms.

In addition to its role in the development of autoimmune diseases, IL-17 may play a role in the development of various allergic diseases that have classically been considered to be Th2-mediated disorders.

Conclusions

Allergic and autoimmune diseases display different facets of immune dysregulation, and may coexist.

Allergic and autoimmune diseases share common aspects: genes, cytokines, mast cell involvement, Treg.

A reduction in number or activity of Foxp3+ Tregs triggers the activation of Th1 and/or Th2 responses, and may induce allergic and autoimmune diseases.