| dc.description.abstract | Allergic diseases are allergen-induced
immunological disorders characterized by the
development of type 2 immunity and IgE responses. The prevalence of allergic diseases
has been on the rise alike cardiovascular disease (CVD), which affects arteries
of different organs such as the heart, the kidney and the brain. The underlying cause
of CVD is often atherosclerosis, a disease distinguished by endothelial dysfunction,
fibrofatty material accumulation in the intima of the artery wall, smooth muscle cell
proliferation, and Th1 inflammation. The opposed T-cell
identity of allergy and atherosclerosis
implies an atheroprotective role for Th2 cells by counteracting Th1 responses.
Yet, the clinical association between allergic disease and CVD argues against
it. Within, we review different phases of allergic pathology, basic immunological
mechanisms of atherosclerosis and the clinical association between allergic diseases
(particularly asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and food allergy) and CVD.
Then, we discuss putative atherogenic mechanisms of type 2 immunity and allergic inflammation
including acute allergic reactions (IgE, IgG1, mast cells, macrophages and
allergic mediators such as vasoactive components, growth factors and those derived
from the complement, contact and coagulation systems) and late phase inflammation
(Th2 cells, eosinophils, type 2 innate-like
lymphoid cells, alarmins, IL-4,
IL-5,
IL-9,
IL-13
and IL-17). | spa |
