- A new type of immune cell, “tolerogenic dendritic cells,” has been discovered in the intestines.
- These cells suppress immune responses to food proteins, preventing allergies.
- Malfunction of these cells may be a cause of food allergies.
- The cells also play a role in immune tolerance to friendly gut bacteria.
- The findings could pave the way for new therapeutic approaches for allergies and autoimmune diseases.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine have identified a previously unknown type of immune cell located in the intestines that appears to be essential for preventing food allergies. This discovery, published in the journal Nature on April 14, provides new insights into how the body manages immune responses to consumed food.
Discovery of Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells
The study pinpointed a specific group of cells in the intestines, named “tolerogenic dendritic cells,” responsible for tamping down the immune responses triggered by exposure to food proteins. These cells facilitate the passage of food through the body without prompting an unwanted immune reaction. The researchers suggest that if these cells do not function correctly, it could lead to the development of food allergies.
Mechanism of Action
The research indicates that the proper function of these tolerogenic dendritic cells requires the presence of specific proteins, Retinoic Acid-Related Orphan Receptor-gamma-t (RORγt) and PR domain-containing 16 (Prdm16). Unlike typical dendritic cells that signal immune attacks, these newly identified cells present antigens from food or beneficial gut microbes to T cells in a way that renders the T cells anti-inflammatory or “regulatory.” This process helps suppress local inflammation upon subsequent encounters with these substances. Previous work by the same team had also revealed that these cells are involved in immune tolerance to friendly gut bacteria.
Study Findings and Implications
Using mouse models, the study demonstrated that mice lacking functional tolerogenic dendritic cells were more susceptible to developing food allergies and asthma. These mice exhibited fewer regulatory T cells and a higher number of inflammatory T cells when exposed to food or microbial antigens. Furthermore, by analyzing human intestinal tissue and public genetic data, the researchers identified equivalent cells in humans, suggesting that this immune mechanism is conserved across species.
Potential Therapeutic Applications
According to study senior author Dan Littman, MD, PhD, these findings could open doors to “innovative ways to treat food allergies.” He proposed that for conditions like a peanut allergy, it might be possible to use tolerogenic dendritic cells to increase the population of regulatory T cells, thereby suppressing the allergic response to peanut molecules. This discovery may also be relevant for preventing autoimmune conditions such as Crohn’s disease and could inform the development of therapeutic strategies for various autoimmune and allergic disorders, as well as organ transplant tolerance.
Directions for Future Research
Looking ahead, the research team plans to conduct further studies to gain a deeper understanding of how and where these tolerogenic dendritic cells develop within the body and the signals they need to receive to fulfill their function effectively.
Study Publication Details
The study, titled “Prdm16-dependent antigen-presenting cells induce tolerance to gut antigens,” was published online in the journal Nature on April 14, 2025. The research was led by Dan R. Littman, with Liuhui Fu, Rabi Upadhyay, and Maria Pokrovskii listed as co-first authors, among other contributors. Funding for the study was provided by grants from the National Institutes of Health.
Source: Nature journal, NYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine