From allergens to epigenetics: how histone acetylation shapes immune gene expression in allergic diseases

Allergic diseases are a significant global health concern. These disorders result from abnormal immune responses to environmental allergens, influenced by genetic, environmental, and epigenetic factors. Among these, histone acetylation has emerged as a key epigenetic mechanism influencing immune gene expression. Histone acetylation modulates chromatin structure and gene transcription, linking environmental exposures to immune responses. In this review, we explore how histone acetylation mechanisms regulate immune gene activation and contribute to the pathophysiology of allergic diseases and detail the role of histone acetylation in asthma, food allergy, atopic dermatitis, and other allergic conditions. Finally, we discuss therapeutic strategies targeting histone acetylation, highlighting their potential to mitigate allergic inflammation and improve patient outcomes. Understanding histone acetylation's role in allergic diseases provides a basis for developing epigenetic therapies, offering promising new approaches to managing these conditions.