title: The impact of transgenic papaya (TPY10-4) fruit supplementation on immune responses in ovalbumin-sensitised mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A transgenic papaya line (TPY10-4) that is resistant to both papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) and papaya leaf distortion mosaic virus (PLDMV) has been developed in Taiwan. This study investigated the immunomodulatory properties of transgenic TPY10-4 and its native (TCK) papaya fruits using an ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitised mouse model. Both green and ripe papaya fruits at low (0.2 g powder kg(-1) body weight (BW)) and high (1.6 g powder kg(-1) BW) doses were administered to experimental mice by intragastric gavage for 5 weeks. Changes in serum total immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgE, IgG and IgM levels, OVA-specific IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a titres and Th1/Th2 cytokine secretions using splenocytes were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Transgenic TPY10-4 or native TCK papaya fruit supplementation did not significantly affect body, visceral organ and relative tissue weights, total IgE antibody levels, OVA-specific IgE and IgG1 antibody titres or OVA-stimulated interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 secretions using splenocytes. However, transgenic papaya fruits markedly increased serum total IgM levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that transgenic TPY10-4 papaya fruits do not increase the allergenic potential of OVA by oral administration but may have a protective immunity via increasing the serum total IgM level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, No. 250 Kuokuang Road, Taichung 40227, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yi-Ning
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wen-Zhe
authors.initials: WZ
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Tony J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Ying Huey
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Jin-Yuarn
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D029441:Carica / Q000235:genetics*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D030841:Food, Genetically Modified; D005638:Fruit; D006967:Hypersensitivity; D007109:Immunity / Q000187:drug effects*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood*; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D023421:Models, Animal; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D028321:Plant Preparations; D010047:Ovalbumin