The role of IL-10 in preventing food-induced anaphylaxis.
BACKGROUND
Food allergy is a common condition resulting in a much impaired quality of life. So far, no clearly effective preventive and therapeutic strategies have been established. However, several options have been tested with promising results.


OBJECTIVE
This review examines the potential of various strategies involving an IL-10-mediated effect for tolerance induction to food antigens, mostly for preventing food allergy.


METHODS
In addition to a review of the literature, we describe and comment on experiments involving a Lactoccocus lactis strain transfected to secrete murine IL-10 directly into the gut.


CONCLUSIONS
This strain was efficient at preventing subsequent sensitization with a common food allergen. There appears to be a potential for such strategies for the prevention of human food allergy but further investigations will be needed to explore them.
Frossard
Christophe P
CP
Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital of Geneva, 6 rue Willy-Donze, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland.
Eigenmann
Philippe A
PA
D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000818:Animals; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016753:Interleukin-10