Potential allergenicity of novel proteins in murine models.
Bioengineered crops represent an important advancement for farmers who want to avoid losses caused by insect infestations or adverse environmental conditions. However, the use of modern biotechnology has raised questions regarding the safety of bioengineered foods because of the potential allergenicity of proteins expressed by the newly introduced genes. Standard approaches for safety assessment of these foods are still evolving. Animal models have been suggested as a tool that could help evaluate the potential allergenicity of such compounds. Several investigators are developing animal models to evaluate novel proteins, but none of these have yet been validated. This article reviews the published murine models, rat and mouse in particular, and the different methods used to evaluate parameters related to allergy. It also addresses the factors involved in the development of a model. Finally, it raises some questions that should be considered by the international community so that financial and intellectual efforts can be addressed in a unified manner.
Westphal
Carmen D
CD
US Food and Drug Administration, Center of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Laurel, MD 20708, USA. carmen.westphal@cfsan.fda.gov
Raybourne
Richard B
RB
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000375:Aging; D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D023381:Endpoint Determination; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D013045:Species Specificity
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000485:Allergens; D004044:Dietary Proteins