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
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).
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