Food Allergy: Molecular Mechanisms, Clinical Challenges, and Future Directions
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Immunology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2026 | Viewed by 5392
Special Issue Editor
Interests: microbiome; asthma; allergies; intestinal tract; exposome; placebo; complementary feeding
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Food allergy is an increasingly prevalent immunological disorder that affects individuals of all ages and significantly impacts public health worldwide. It is characterized by adverse immune responses to specific dietary antigens and can manifest in a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms, ranging from mild cutaneous reactions to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Over the past decades, the incidence of food allergies has risen dramatically, particularly in industrialized countries, yet the underlying molecular and environmental drivers of this trend remain poorly understood.
The pathophysiology of food allergy involves complex interactions between genetic predisposition, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and dysregulation of the immune system, particularly Th2-skewed responses and IgE-mediated mechanisms. Emerging evidence also highlights the potential role of the gut microbiome, epigenetic modifications, and non-IgE-mediated pathways in disease development and progression. Understanding these molecular mechanisms is critical for identifying novel biomarkers, improving diagnostics, and developing targeted therapeutic strategies.
Despite important advances in research, food allergy remains a major unmet clinical need. Current treatment options are limited, and management primarily relies on allergen avoidance and emergency interventions. There is an urgent need for innovative approaches to prevention, early diagnosis, and personalized treatment.
This Special Issue provides an excellent opportunity for scientists and clinicians working across immunology, molecular biology, allergy, and translational medicine to share their findings and contribute to advancing this critical area of research. I invite researchers and clinicians to contribute original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that deepen our understanding of the molecular and cellular bases of food allergy. Submissions addressing immunological pathways, genetic and epigenetic factors, novel diagnostic tools, therapeutic innovations, and translational research are especially welcome. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and disseminating high-quality research, we aim to accelerate scientific progress and improve outcomes for individuals affected by food allergies.
Dr. Sylwia Smolińska
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
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Keywords
- food allergy
- allergen
- environmental exposures
- gut microbiome
- non-IgE-mediated pathways
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