[Effect of non-methylated CpG-ODN on serum TGF-β and immune regulation in ovalbumin-sensitized young mice].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effect of non-methylated cytosine-phosphate-guanine oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) on serum transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and immune regulation in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized young mice.


METHODS
Thirty female BALB/c mice (2-3 weeks old) were randomly divided into control, model, and CpG-ODN intervention groups. A young mouse model of food allergy was established by OVA sensitization. Normal saline of the same volume was used for replacement in the control group. The mice in the intervention group were intraperitoneally injected with CpG-ODN solution 1 hour before every OVA sensitization. Allergic symptoms were observed and scored for each group. The jejunal tissue was histopathologically examined with hematoxylin-eosin staining. Serum OVA-IgE level was measured using ELISA. Serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-4, interferon (IFN)-γ, and TGF-β were determined by CBA.


RESULTS
Allergic symptoms were observed in the model group and the jejunal tissue showed the pathological characteristics of type I allergic reaction. The allergic symptom scores in the model and CpG-ODN intervention groups were significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.01). The serum levels of OVA-IgE, IL-4, and TGF-β were significantly higher in the model group than in the control and CpG-ODN intervention groups (P<0.05). The CpG-ODN intervention group had significantly higher serum levels of OVA-IgE, IL-4, and TGF-β than the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the control and CpG-ODN intervention groups, the model group had a significantly reduced IFN-γ level (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The serum TGF-β level is increased in the young mouse model of OVA-sensitized food allergy and is involved in the allergy mechanism. Non-methylated CpG-ODN can reduce the serum TGF-β level in sensitized young mice and play an immunoregulatory role in food allergy.
Department of Pediatrics, 306th Clinical College of People's Liberation Army, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China. zcz3066@126.com.
Ben-Zhen
BZ
Wang
Cheng-Zhong
CZ
Zheng
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D019175:DNA Methylation; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood*
C408982:CPG-oligonucleotide; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D010047:Ovalbumin