Seed storage proteinsmolecular and immunological perspectives of plant-derived food allergy

Abstract

Incidence of type I hypersensitivity reactions, also known as allergies, has increased in the last decades, affecting nearly 30% of the population in developed countries.This pathology is characterized by an exacerbated immune response against innocuous protein components called allergens promoting diverse symptoms with different severity degree, from rhinitis or local eczema to anaphylactic reactions. One of the greatest antigenic loads that immune system faces comes from food, being the tolerance the common physiological behaviour. Particularly, allergic reactions to food are of clinical interest due to the great impact on health and lifestyle, as they affect approximately 10% of the world’s population. Usually food allergies appear in early life of individuals and, while some are solved during childhood and adolescence (e.g. egg or milk allergy), others persist during the whole life displaying severe reactions that compromise patients’ safety...