Probiotic VSL#3-induced TGF-β ameliorates food allergy inflammation in a mouse model of peanut sensitization through the induction of regulatory T cells in the gut mucosa.
METHODS
Among food allergies, peanut allergy is frequently associated with severe anaphylactic reactions. In the need for safe and effective therapeutic strategies, probiotics may be considered on the basis of their immunomodulatory properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the immunological mediators involved in the effects of probiotic VSL#3 oral supplementation on Th2 inflammation and anaphylaxis in a mouse model of peanut allergy.


RESULTS
VSL#3 supplementation to peanut-sensitized mice was effective in ameliorating anaphylaxis and Th2-mediated inflammation, by promoting regulatory responses in the jejunum mucosa and in the mesenteric lymph node, as evaluated by ELISA, real-time PCR, histologic, and immunohistochemical analysis. Probiotic-induced TGF-β mediates its protective effects through the induction of regulatory T cells expressing FOXP3 and/or latency-associated peptide, as proven by in vivo blockade of TGF-β in VSL#3-treated mice with a neutralizing monoclonal antibody one day before challenge.


CONCLUSIONS
TGF-β, induced in the gut by VSL#3 supplementation, is capable of reducing the Th2 inflammation associated with food anaphylaxis in a mouse model of peanut sensitization. TGF-β acts through the induction/maintenance of regulatory T cells expressing FOXP3 and/or latency-associated peptide. Probiotics supplementation may represent an effective and safe strategy for treating food allergies in adult population.
Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
Bianca
B
Barletta
Giacomo
G
Rossi
Elisa
E
Schiavi
Cinzia
C
Butteroni
Silvia
S
Corinti
Monica
M
Boirivant
Gabriella
G
Di Felice
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000188:drug therapy; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D021183:Peanut Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D019936:Probiotics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; C498833:Foxp3 protein, mouse; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta
Mouse model; Peanut allergy; Probiotic VSL#3; Regulatory T cells; TGF-β