Sphingosine-kinase 1 and 2 contribute to oral sensitization and effector phase in a mouse model of food allergy.
BACKGROUND
Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) influences activation, migration and death of immune cells. Further, S1P was proposed to play a major role in the induction and promotion of allergic diseases. However, to date only limited information is available on the role of S1P in food allergy.


OBJECTIVE
We aimed to investigate the role of sphingosine-kinase (SphK) 1 and 2, the enzymes responsible for endogenous S1P production, on the induction of food allergy.


RESULTS
Human epithelial colorectal CaCo2 cells stimulated in vitro with S1P revealed a decrease of transepithelial resistance and enhanced transport of FITC labeled OVA. We studied the effect of genetic deletion of the enzymes involved in S1P production on food allergy induction using a mouse model of food allergy based on intragastrically (i.g.) administered ovalbumin (OVA) with concomitant acid-suppression. Wild-type (WT), SphK1(-/-) and SphK2(-/-) mice immunized with OVA alone i.g. or intraperitoneally (i.p.) were used as negative or positive controls, respectively. SphK1- and SphK2-deficient mice fed with OVA under acid-suppression showed reduced induction of OVA specific IgE and IgG compared to WT mice, but had normal responses when immunized by the intraperitoneal route. Flow cytometric analysis of spleen cells revealed a significantly reduced proportion of CD4(+) effector T-cells in both SphK deficient animals after oral sensitization. This was accompanied by a reduced accumulation of mast cells in the gastric mucosa in SphK-deficient animals compared to WT mice. Furthermore, mouse mast cell protease-1 (mMCP-1) levels, an IgE-mediated anaphylaxis marker, were reliably elevated in allergic WT animals.


CONCLUSIONS
Modulation of the S1P homeostasis by deletion of either SphK1 or SphK2 alters the sensitization and effector phase of food allergy.
Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
Susanne C
SC
Diesner
Ana
A
Olivera
Sandra
S
Dillahunt
Cornelia
C
Schultz
Thomas
T
Watzlawek
Elisabeth
E
Förster-Waldl
Arnold
A
Pollak
Erika
E
Jensen-Jarolim
Eva
E
Untersmayr
Juan
J
Rivera
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000235:genetics; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D054592:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 11 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D053824:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 6 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation
C491768:Ccl2 protein, mouse; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D010047:Ovalbumin; D054592:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 11; D053824:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 6