title: Basophils and mast cells are crucial for reactions due to epicutaneous sensitization to ovalbumin.
abstract: The prevalence of food allergies worldwide has increased recently. Epicutaneous sensitization to antigen could be a method to study food allergy. To clarify the mechanisms of food allergy, we established a mouse model of epicutaneous sensitization using ovalbumin (OVA). BALB/c mice were sensitized by three-time application of OVA to tape-stripped skin (1-week sensitization at 2-week intervals) and oral challenge of OVA undertaken. Rectal temperature was monitored. Blood and tissue (skin and jejunum) of challenged mice were taken. Numbers of mast cells (MCs) and basophils were counted. Serum and/or tissue levels of OVA -specific IgE and IgG antibodies and several cytokines were measured using enzyme-linked immunoassay kits. MC and basophil depletion experiments were undertaken. In OVA/epicutaneous-sensitized and orally challenged mice, systemic anaphylaxis (as evidenced by reduced rectal temperature) was observed. Levels of OVA-specific IgE and IgG antibodies were increased in these mice, as were increased number of MCs and basophils. Serum levels of MC protease 1 were increased significantly. Basophil and MC depletion experiments revealed that they both participate in reactions. Increased production of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) at skin sites of OVA sensitization was noted. We speculate that TSLP produced from epidermal cells during antigen sensitization can enable basophils to promote a T helper (Th)2 immune reaction, leading to and systemic anaphylaxis by antigen-specific IgE-bearing MCs. This TSLP-basophils-MC axis could be a novel therapeutic target against food allergy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Rie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Igawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yutaro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Handa
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Takichi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Munetsugu
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Satoh
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yokozeki
mesh_terms: D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D001491:Basophils / Q000502:physiology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007583:Jejunum / Q000276:immunology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010047:Ovalbumin; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology; D000094632:Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D010047:Ovalbumin; D000094632:Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin; C000721967:TSLP protein, mouse
keywords: anaphylactic reaction; basophils; epicutaneous sensitization; mast cells; thymic stromal lymphopoietin