This application is designed to provide Scott H. Sicherer, MD with a program of mentored, patient-oriented research that will facilitate his development as an independent physician scientist. Dr. Sicherer completed his residency and chief residency in pediatrics, his fellowship in allergy and immunology and he has been Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Mount Sinai School of Medicine since July, 1997. During the latter portion of his fellowship training and as faculty, he has concentrated his research efforts on the clinical manifestations of food allergy, particularly peanut allergy. He has amassed clinical data on a large group of peanut-allergic patients including preliminary data to indicate a genetic influence on peanut allergy. This award would allow him the unique opportunity to acquire cross- training in genetics while pursuing a multidisciplinary, patient- oriented research project to dissect the genetic basis of peanut allergy. Allergy to peanut affects 0.6 percent of the general population, is responsible for the majority of severe, life-threatening food allergic reactions, and sensitivity is rarely outgrown. Because peanut is ubiquitous in the American diet, sensitization among susceptible individuals is the rule and accidental ingestions among allergic individuals is common. Despite the seriousness of the allergy, little is known about the genetic basis of this or any other food allergy. This proposal will test the hypothesis that peanut allergy is a complex genetic disease. Several approaches will be taken to test the hypothesis: 1) The heritability of peanut allergy will be determined by comparing the concordance rate of the allergy in mono- and dizygotic twin pairs; 2) Since HLA class II molecules are an attractive candidate as one determinant for peanut allergy, serotyping will be performed and genotype frequencies compared for evidence of association in families with affected probands; and 3) a genome- wide search will be performed on families with two affected siblings using highly polymorphic markers that systematically cover the entire genome and the data analyzed for linkage to major loci contributing to peanut allergy. Dr. Sicherer will be supported in his endeavors with protected research time, access to the General Clinical Research Center and institutional core facilities, and dedicated laboratory space. His development will be fostered by the serious committment of his mentors to guide him in the proposed studies and in the responsible conduct of research, and by the outstanding research and intellectual environment at Mount Sinai.
| Shreffler, Wayne G; Charlop-Powers, Zachary; Sicherer, Scott H (2006) Lack of association of HLA class II alleles with peanut allergy. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 96:865-9 |
| Sicherer, Scott H; Munoz-Furlong, Anne; Sampson, Hugh A (2004) Prevalence of seafood allergy in the United States determined by a random telephone survey. J Allergy Clin Immunol 114:159-65 |
| Cohen, Benjamin L; Noone, Sally; Munoz-Furlong, Anne et al. (2004) Development of a questionnaire to measure quality of life in families with a child with food allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 114:1159-63 |
| Sicherer, Scott H (2003) Advances in anaphylaxis and hypersensitivity reactions to foods, drugs, and insect venom. J Allergy Clin Immunol 111:S829-34 |
| Sicherer, Scott H; Munoz-Furlong, Anne; Sampson, Hugh A (2003) Prevalence of peanut and tree nut allergy in the United States determined by means of a random digit dial telephone survey: a 5-year follow-up study. J Allergy Clin Immunol 112:1203-7 |
| Ma, Songhui; Sicherer, Scott H; Nowak-Wegrzyn, Anna (2003) A survey on the management of pollen-food allergy syndrome in allergy practices. J Allergy Clin Immunol 112:784-8 |
| Simonte, Steven J; Ma, Songhui; Mofidi, Shideh et al. (2003) Relevance of casual contact with peanut butter in children with peanut allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 112:180-2 |
| Sicherer, Scott H (2002) Food allergy. Lancet 360:701-10 |
| Joshi, Preeti; Mofidi, Shideh; Sicherer, Scott H (2002) Interpretation of commercial food ingredient labels by parents of food-allergic children. J Allergy Clin Immunol 109:1019-21 |
| Sicherer, Scott H (2002) Clinical update on peanut allergy. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 88:350-61; quiz 361-2, 394 |
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