Massachusetts General Hospital

Research

The Shreffler laboratory focuses on thecharacterization of cellular and humoral immune response to dietary antigensand the mechanisms of allergen-induced Th2 sensitization and oral tolerance.Areas of active investigation include 1) the mechanisms of allergenic dendriticcell (DC) activation by allergens and the DC signals that induce Th2differentiation; 2) the role of regulatory T cells in natural andimmunotherapy-induced oral tolerance; 3) the role of IgE diversity and basophilactivation and their regulation in both the effector response and in adaptiveimmune deviation in the context of food allergy and asthma. We primarily workwith human samples, often in conjunction with clinicalinterventional or observational studies, to interrogate both the innate andadaptive immune responses to major dietary and aeroallergens.

Working together with numerous collaboratorsincluding from the Consortium for Food AllergyResearch , the Inner City Asthma Consortium and our own newly established FoodAllergy Center at MGH, we are adapting the use of polychromatic flowcytometry, peptide microarray-based humoral immune profiling and systemsbiology approaches to uniquely characterize the phenotype and function of allergen-specificT and B cell responses and the regulations of effector cells in pediatric foodallergy and asthma.

Also important is the effort to understand whysome food proteins are potent allergens. In other words, what are themechanisms that influence early immune fate decisions to allergens and theintrinsic properties of those allergens that facilitate an allergic response. Weare studying this in human and murine model systems.

Publications

View my most recent publications at PubMed

Food Allergy Center patient testimonials

Read about three patients who have benefited from services at the Food Allergy Center.

The Food Allergy Center at Massachusetts General Hospital and MassGeneral Hospital for Children

With the hope of making a long-term impact in the field, The Food Allergy Center at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC) has been established to diagnose and treat known and suspected cases of food allergies.

Are Food Allergies Over-Diagnosed?

Wayne Shreffler, MD, PhD, a pediatric allergist at MassGeneral Hospital for Children and director of the Food Allergy Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, answers questions about the diagnosis and treatment of food allergies.

Are Kids at Risk When Peanuts Are Served on Airplanes?

Wayne Shreffler, MD, PhD, a pediatric allergist at MassGeneral Hospital for Children and director of the Food Allergy Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, answers questions about proposed changes to air travel regulations.

Food Allergies and School: Frequently Asked Questions

The Food Allergy team at MassGeneral Hospital for Children answers common concerns about food allergies and school.

Are Babies Taking Longer to Outgrow Milk Allergies?

Research presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology indicates that children may not outgrow milk allergies as early in life as experts had thought.

Establishment of the Mass General Food Allergy Center

In Fall 2009, Massachusetts General Hospital established a comprehensive center for the treatment and study of food allergy and food-related disorders to provide state-of-the-art care while investigating the mysteries that underlie these inadequately understood and as yet incurable diseases.

Peanut Oral Immunotherapy Study at the Food Allergy Center

The Food Allergy Center is currently enrolling peanut allergic children ages 7–21 years in an oral immunotherapy (OIT) study, which involves administering small doses of peanut powder, increased over time. Read about Deb Edmunds’ insiders experience with her daughter, Ashley Edmunds, who is currently enrolled.

Diagnosing and Treating Food Allergy in Pediatric Patients

Food allergy is an immune-based disease affecting an estimated 5 percent of children younger than age 5 and 4 percent of teens and adults.

What are the differences between oral immunotherapy and food challenges?

Wayne Shreffler, MD, PhD, division chief of Pediatric Allergy & Immunology at MassGeneral Hospital for Children and director of the Food Allergy Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, explains the differences between food challenges, which are established methods of care, and oral immunotherapy, which is still in research.

MGHfC physicians engage with ‘mommy bloggers’

Nine local mothers who blog about parenthood visited MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC) on July 31 to meet MGHfC physicians and learn about three popular pediatric health topics – obesity, food allergy and sleep behavioral disorders.

Thirteen tips to Navigate the Holidays Joyfully and Safely

Shift the focus from holiday foods and plan memorable holiday activities for your children to enjoy this season that are safe and free from allergens.

Living a Full and Happy Life with Food Allergies

Come join us for the third meeting in our series "Living a Full and Happy Life with Food Allergies" on April 10th. Meeting at Mass General, Yawkey, 4th Floor, RM 820 from 6:30-8:00 pm. (To find the room: Face the windows after you exit the elevators, turn left and walk to the end of the hallway. The entrance is on the left.) Children 8 and older are welcome. This meeting intends to address their concerns and give them a chance to share in an age appropriate manner. Upcoming events on May 16th and June 25th.

Frontiers in Pediatrics Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition 2013

This course is designed to meet one or more of the following Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education competencies: Patient care; Medical knowledge; Practice-based learning and improvement; Interpersonal and communication skills; Professionalism; Systems-based practice