Cord blood zonulin is associated with high-level sensitization to food allergen and food allergy development

• Published in: Allergology International Vol. 73; no. 2; pp. 338 - 339
• Main Authors: Fumiya Yamaidea, b, Nao Onikia, Bahrul Fikria, Noriko Satoa, Taiji Nakanoa, Naoki Shimojoa, c
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: JAPANESE SOCIETY OF ALLERGOLOGY 01.04.2024
• ISSN: 1323-8930

[Dear Editor,] Fetal life and early postnatal environment and conditions influence the development of allergic diseases. Fetal immune status is thought to be associated with the risk of early childhood allergic diseases. In addition to allergic inflammation, epithelial barrier impairment is essential in allergen sensitization and developing allergic diseases. The skin and intestinal tract are important sites of exposure to food allergens. Evaluating the barrier function of the gastrointestinal tract is more challenging than evaluating the barrier function of the skin. Only a few studies report the intestinal barrier function in allergic diseases. Zonulin family peptide (zonulin), an epithelial tight junction regulator, plays an important role in regulating epithelial barrier function, and has been reported to be associated with chronic inflammatory diseases (e.g., diabetes, autoimmune diseases). In allergic diseases, a higher serum zonulin has been observed in children with atopic dermatitis, proportional to the severity of the disease, acting as a prognostic factor of asthma severity. To date, no reports have been published on the relationship between zonulin and the onset of allergic diseases. Thus, whether intestinal barrier function at birth is related to the subsequent development of sensitization and allergic diseases remains unclear.