Identification of immune biomarkers associated with life-threatening systemic anaphylaxis in a mouse model of wheat glutenin allergy. 

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Presentation Time: 02:15 PM - 03:30 PM
Poster Board Number: B742
Abstract ID: 5048

Presenting Author:
Tamil Selvan Arul Arasan , Graduate Assistant at Michigan State Univ.

Abstract:

Food allergies such as wheat allergies are a serious public health hazard because they can cause life-threatening systemic anaphylaxis (LTSA). Wheat gluten is a major allergen associated with LTSA. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that immune biomarkers associated with LTSA can be identified using an adjuvant-free mouse model of wheat glutenin (WG) allergy. Balb/c mice were produced and maintained on a plant protein-free diet. Adult female mice were exposed to vehicle or common WG extract via the skin (once/week/9 weeks). Sensitization was confirmed by measuring IgE antibody responses. LTSA was elicited on the 12th week by intraperitoneal injection with glutenin. Clinical scores and hypothermic shock responses indicated LTSA. Spleen protein extracts were prepared and used in proteomic analysis. Based on heat map analysis and fold change in protein expression, differentially expressed biomarkers were identified. These markers were classified into 4 categories: low (≤1.9-fold change), medium (2-3.9-fold change), high (4-5.9-fold change), and critical importance (≥6-fold change). Of the positively correlated biomarkers, 3 were of critical importance, and 4 were of high importance. For the negatively correlated biomarkers, 3 were identified as critically important, and 1 was identified as highly important. This work demonstrates the utility of a novel mouse model of WG allergy to identify biomarkers associated with LTSA. Funding: USDA/NIFA. 

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