This research builds on previous studies that demonstrated how tolDCs help maintain immune tolerance not only to food proteins but also to beneficial gut bacteria, which are essential for digestion and overall health.

The findings revealed that tolDCs require specific transcription factors and regulatory DNA elements to function effectively, with disruptions leading to a loss of tolerance to dietary antigens.

A recent study from NYU Langone Health has identified a type of immune cell known as tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDCs), which play a crucial role in preventing food allergies by regulating immune responses to food proteins.

Published in the journal Nature on April 14, 2025, the study confirmed the existence of human equivalents of these cells through detailed analysis of human intestinal tissue and sequencing data.

To characterize tolDCs and their role in immune tolerance, the researchers employed advanced techniques such as single-cell RNA sequencing, chromatin profiling, and surface marker analysis.

In experiments, mice lacking tolerogenic dendritic cells exhibited a decrease in regulatory T cells and an increase in inflammatory T cells, significantly raising their risk of developing allergies.

While the researchers successfully identified human equivalents of these dendritic cells, further investigation is necessary to determine their abundance and roles in immune tolerance beyond the intestines.

Notably, tolDC-like cells have also been found in human intestinal tissues and lymph nodes, suggesting their potential relevance to human health.

The study received substantial support from several National Institutes of Health grants, underscoring the significance of this research in the field.

It is worth noting that while Littman, a co-founder of multiple biotech companies, was involved in related research, he did not participate in this particular study.

The team aims to deepen their understanding of the development and signaling requirements of tolerogenic dendritic cells within the body.