The role of immunoglobulin A in oral tolerance and food allergy

Abstract

Mucosal surfaces, which are frequently exposed to external antigens, are a major part of the immune system. The development of oral tolerance is a result of a complex interplay between a variety of innate and adaptive immune functions; deficiencies in these mechanisms may contribute to the development of allergic disorders. Although regulatory T cells have a clear role in enforcing oral tolerance, the role of the dominant immunoglobulin in the gut, immunoglobulin A (IgA), is less clear. This perspective will focus on IgA and its role in tolerance to oral antigens and the development of food allergies.