Continuous allergen consumption sustains neuroinflammation independent of allergen-specific IgE levels in mice with subclinical food allergy

---

Presentation Time: 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM
Abstract ID: 4551 - B

Presenting Author:
Geetika Verma , Postdoc at Univ. of North Dakota Sch. of Med. and Hlth. Sci.

Abstract:

We have previously demonstrated that consumption of whey-protein (WP) diet for 2 weeks resulted in behavior changes and neuroinflammation in male C57BL/6J mice that had been sub-clinically sensitized to a bovine whey allergen, β-lactoglobulin (BLG, Bos d 5). To further examine whether allergen avoidance would attenuate peripheral and central inflammation in this mouse model of cow’s milk allergy, we assessed the immune responses in their blood and brain without or with the allergen. Following the 2-week WP diet, sham- and BLG-sensitized mice were subsequently given either a control (CTL) or WP diet for an additional 2 weeks as a recovery period. Plasma samples were taken every week after sensitization until the end of the experiment. Interestingly, significant decreases in allergen-specific IgE and histamine levels were observed in the plasma of BLG-sensitized males that stayed on the WP diet during the recovery period, indicating desensitization. In contrast, the BLG-specific IgG1 levels remained elevated with the WP diet in sensitized mice of both sexes, while allergen avoidance lowered the antibody levels. BLG-sensitized mice that stayed on the WP diet throughout the recovery period also showed behavior changes and astrogliosis in the brain. These results indicated that continuously consuming offending allergens sustained neuroinflammation even after plasma IgE levels had declined, suggesting the importance of allergen avoidance in allergen-tolerant individuals.