A positive feedback loop between the adaptive and innate immune systems in food allergy. Allergen exposure induces antigen-specific CD4⁺ T cells to secrete IL-4 and IL-13 in food-allergic patients. These Th2 cytokines drive the differentiation of monocytes into CD209⁺ MDDCs and the up-regulation CD23 on myeloid CD11c⁺ DCs. This in turn facilitates the uptake and HLA presentation of allergen, reinforcing the adaptive immune response to allergen.