title: Outstanding animal studies in allergy II. From atopic barrier and microbiome to allergen-specific immunotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Animal studies published within the past 18 months were assessed, focusing on innate and specific immunomodulation, providing knowledge of high translational relevance for human atopic and allergic diseases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Allergic companion animals represent alternative models, but most studies were done in mice. Atopic dermatitis mouse models were refined by the utilization of cytokines like IL-23 and relevant skin allergens or enzymes. A novel IL-6 reporter mouse allows biomonitoring of inflammation. Both skin pH and the (transferable) microflora have a pivotal role in modulating the skin barrier. The microflora of the gastrointestinal mucosa maintains tolerance to dietary compounds and can be disturbed by antiacid drugs. A key mouse study evidenced that dust from Amish households, but not from Hutterites protected mice against asthma. In studies on subcutaneous and sublingual allergen-specific immunotherapy, much focus was given on delivery and adjuvants, using poly-lacto-co-glycolic particles, CpGs, probiotics or Vitamin D3. The epicutaneous and intralymphatic routes showed promising results in mice and horses in terms of prophylactic and therapeutic allergy treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In atopic dermatitis, food allergies and asthma, environmental factors, together with the resident microflora and barrier status, decide on sensitization versus tolerance. Also allergen-specific immunotherapy operates with immunomodulatory principles.
authors.affiliation: aInstitute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology bThe Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jensen-Jarolim
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pali-Schöll
authors.forename: Franziska
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Roth-Walter
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D056747:Immunomodulation; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D064307:Microbiota / Q000276:immunology*; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens