ABSTRACT
With millions of individuals affected, the burden of allergic diseases is increasing worldwide. Data suggest that around 20–30% of the global population suffers from some or other form of allergies. Climate changes and rise in air pollution have further increased the prevalence of allergic disorders to epidemic proportions, with the paediatric cohort being more severely affected. It is now well recognized that allergies have multifactorial disease aetiology. Along with strong genetic components, exposure to environmental factors like allergens, irritants, pollutants and infectious agents also modulate the allergic phenotype. Latest evidence highlights the role of mitochondria as a connecting link between these factors, projecting allergy as a mitochondria centric pathology. This opens new horizons for treatment and management of allergic diseases by targeting mitochondria. Repairing the mitochondria by scavenging detrimental ROS, regulatory reprogramming of the defective system and replacement by healthy mitochondria are strategies that can be attractive therapeutic options for allergic diseases.
