ReviewMacrophages in food allergy: An enigma

- Macrophages may play a pivotal role in food allergic reactions.
- Macrophages may regulate oral tolerance.
- Alveolar and peritoneal macrophages are found to be involved in food allergy.
- Macrophages may participate in sublingual immunotherapy.

Macrophages, the characteristic cell type in inflammatory reactions, participate in a variety of immunological events in humans and other mammals. They act as regulatory switches for both innate and acquired arms of immune system and play a vital role in tissue repair. Recent studies have shown the possible role of macrophages in food allergic reactions. Since, there is involvement of alveolar as well as peritoneal macrophages in the pathogenesis of several food allergies, the present review covers the relevance of macrophage related immunological response in food allergic reactions.