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19 pages, 5826 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Notch Signaling Inhibition Alleviates Allergies Caused by Antarctic Krill Tropomyosin through Improving Th1/Th2 Imbalance and Modulating Gut Microbiota

by Na Lin, Hai Chi, Quanyou Guo, Zhidong Liu and Ling Ni

Foods 2024, 13(8), 1144; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13081144 - 09 Apr 2024

Viewed by 407

Abstract

Antarctic krill tropomyosin (AkTM) has been shown in mice to cause IgE-mediated food allergy. The objective of this work was to investigate the role of Notch signaling in AkTM-sensitized mice, as well as to determine the changes in gut microbiota composition and short-chain [...] Read more.

Antarctic krill tropomyosin (AkTM) has been shown in mice to cause IgE-mediated food allergy. The objective of this work was to investigate the role of Notch signaling in AkTM-sensitized mice, as well as to determine the changes in gut microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the allergic mice. An AkTM-induced food allergy mouse model was built and N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-L-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT) was used as an γ-secretase inhibitor to inhibit the activation of Notch signaling. Food allergy indices, some key transcription factors, histologic alterations in the small intestine, and changes in gut microbiota composition were examined. The results showed that DAPT inhibited Notch signaling, which reduced AkTM-specific IgE, suppressed mast cell degranulation, decreased IL-4 but increased IFN-γ production, and alleviated allergic symptoms. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting analyses revealed that expressions of Hes-1, Gata3, and IL-4 were down-regulated after DAPT treatment, accompanied by increases in T-bet and IFN-γ, indicating that Notch signaling was active in AkTM-sensitized mice and blocking it could reverse the Th1/Th2 imbalance. Expressions of key transcription factors revealed that Notch signaling could promote Th2 cell differentiation in sensitized mice. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing results revealed that AkTM could alter the diversity and composition of gut microbiota in mice, leading to increases in inflammation-inducing bacteria such as Enterococcus and Escherichia-Shigella. Correlation analysis indicated that reduced SCFA concentrations in AkTM-allergic mice may be related to decreases in certain SCFA-producing bacteria, such as Clostridia_UCG-014. The changes in gut microbiota and SCFAs could be partially restored by DAPT treatment. Our findings showed that inhibiting Notch signaling could alleviate AkTM-induced food allergy by correcting Th1/Th2 imbalance and modulating the gut microbiota. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into the Sources, Symptoms, and Management of Food Allergy)

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14 pages, 3611 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Peanut Protein Treated with Alkaline Protease and Flavorzyme on BALB/c Mice

by Erlian Shu, Shuo Wang, Bing Niu and Qin Chen

Foods 2023, 12(13), 2634; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12132634 - 07 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1372

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the effects of enzyme treatment concentration, temperature, and time on peanut protein so as to obtain an optimal enzymatic hydrolysis condition for flavorzyme (Fla) and alkaline protease (Alk). The results were as follows: enzymatic hydrolysis temperature 60 °C [...] Read more.

This article aims to analyze the effects of enzyme treatment concentration, temperature, and time on peanut protein so as to obtain an optimal enzymatic hydrolysis condition for flavorzyme (Fla) and alkaline protease (Alk). The results were as follows: enzymatic hydrolysis temperature 60 °C and 55 °C, enzyme concentration 10% and 4%, enzymatic hydrolysis time 80 min and 60 min, and double enzyme hydrolysis ratio 2% Fla + 5% Alk, respectively. The BALB/c mice were sensitized with gavage of peanut protein before and after enzyme treatment to evaluate the effects of different enzyme treatments on peanut allergenicity. Compared with the mice sensitized with raw peanuts, the weight growth rate of the mice sensitized with enzyme treatment peanut increased but not as much as the control, the degranulation degree of mast cell and basophils decreased, the inflammatory infiltration and congestion in jejunum and lung tissue decreased, the expression of proinflammatory factors and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) gene decreased, and the secretion of specific antibodies (IgE, and IgG) decreased, and the binding ability of peanut protein with peanut-specific IgE antibodies decreased as well. The results above indicate that the allergenicity of peanut protein decreases after enzyme treatment and the dual enzyme (Fla + Alk) treatment can be much more efficient. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into the Sources, Symptoms, and Management of Food Allergy)

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14 pages, 6502 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Establishment of Food Allergy Model in Dextran Sulfate Sodium Induced Colitis Mice

by Bihua Chen, Yuhong Wu, Huan Wu, Xuanyi Meng and Hongbing Chen

Foods 2023, 12(5), 1007; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12051007 - 27 Feb 2023

Viewed by 1299

Abstract

Food allergy (FA) has become a global food safety issue. Evidence suggests that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can increase the incidence of FA, but it is mostly based on epidemiological studies. An animal model is pivotal for unraveling the mechanisms involved. However, dextran [...] Read more.

Food allergy (FA) has become a global food safety issue. Evidence suggests that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can increase the incidence of FA, but it is mostly based on epidemiological studies. An animal model is pivotal for unraveling the mechanisms involved. However, dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced IBD models may cause substantial animal losses. To better investigate the effect of IBD on FA, this study aimed to establish a murine model to fit both IBD and FA symptoms. Firstly, we compared three DSS-induced colitis models by monitoring survival rate, disease activity index, colon length, and spleen index, and then eliminated the colitis model with a 7-day administration of 4% due to high mortality. Moreover, we evaluated the modeling effects on FA and intestinal histopathology of the two models selected and found the modeling effects were similar in both the colitis model with a 7-day administration of 3% DSS and the colitis model with long-term administration of DSS. However, for animal survival reasons, we recommend the colitis model with long-term administration of DSS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into the Sources, Symptoms, and Management of Food Allergy)

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14 pages, 3750 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Oral Administration of Lotus-Seed Resistant Starch Protects against Food Allergy

by Jiamiao Hu, Zhongjing Lin, Lanxin Li, Baodong Zheng, Hongliang Zeng, Yanbo Wang and Yi Zhang

Foods 2023, 12(4), 737; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12040737 - 08 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2173

Abstract

Food allergy is a serious food safety and public health issue. However, the medical interventions for allergy treatment are still suboptimal. Recently, the gut microbiome–immune axis has been considered as a promising target to reduce the symptoms of food allergy. In this study, [...] Read more.

Food allergy is a serious food safety and public health issue. However, the medical interventions for allergy treatment are still suboptimal. Recently, the gut microbiome–immune axis has been considered as a promising target to reduce the symptoms of food allergy. In this study, we explore the oral administration of lotus-seed resistant starch as a means to protect against food allergy using an ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and challenge rodent model. The results obtained showed that lotus-seed resistant starch intervention alleviated the food allergy symptoms (such as reductions in body temperature and allergic diarrhea). Furthermore, lotus-seed resistant starch also attenuated the increase in OVA-specific immunoglobulins and improved Th1/Th2 imbalance in OVA-sensitized mice. These anti-allergic effects might be associated with the actions of lotus-seed resistant starch on intestinal microbiota. Taken together, our findings suggest that daily ingestion of lotus-seed resistant starch might be effective for the alleviation of food allergy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into the Sources, Symptoms, and Management of Food Allergy)

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19 pages, 4082 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Interaction of Food Allergy and Diabetes: Food Allergy Effects on Diabetic Mice by Intestinal Barrier Destruction and Glucagon-like Peptide 1 Reduction in Jejunum

by Yanjun Gu, Lu Yao, Tianyi Jiang and Huilian Che

Foods 2022, 11(23), 3758; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11233758 - 22 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1846

Abstract

The increase in food allergies and diabetes leads to the assumption that they are related. This study aimed to (1) verify the interaction between food allergy and diabetes and (2) explore the potential mechanisms by which food allergy promotes diabetes. Female BALB/c mice [...] Read more.

The increase in food allergies and diabetes leads to the assumption that they are related. This study aimed to (1) verify the interaction between food allergy and diabetes and (2) explore the potential mechanisms by which food allergy promotes diabetes. Female BALB/c mice were grouped into a control group (CK), an ovalbumin-sensitized group (OVA), a diabetes group (STZ), and a diabetic allergic group (STZ + OVA) (Mice were modeled diabetes with STZ first, then were given OVA to model food allergies), and an allergic diabetic group (OVA + STZ) (Mice were modeled food allergies with OVA first, then were given STZ to model diabetes). The results showed that OVA + STZ mice exhibited a more serious Th2 humoral response, and they were more susceptible to diabetes. Furthermore, when the OVA + STZ mice were in the sensitized state, the intestinal barrier function was severely impaired, and mast cell activation was promoted. Moreover, we found that the effect of food allergy on diabetes is related to the inhibition of GLP-1 secretion and the up-regulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR/NF-κB P65 signaling pathway in the jejunum. Overall, our results suggest that food allergies have interactions with diabetes, which sheds new light on the importance of food allergies in diabetes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into the Sources, Symptoms, and Management of Food Allergy)

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19 pages, 4638 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Widely Targeted Lipidomics and Transcriptomics Analysis Revealed Changes of Lipid Metabolism in Spleen Dendritic Cells in Shrimp Allergy

by Shanfeng Sun, Jiangzuo Luo, Hang Du, Guirong Liu, Manman Liu, Junjuan Wang, Shiwen Han and Huilian Che

Foods 2022, 11(13), 1882; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11131882 - 25 Jun 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2103

Abstract

Shrimp allergy (SA) is pathological type 2 inflammatory immune responses against harmless shrimp protein allergen, which is caused by complex interactions between dendritic cells (DCs) and other immune cells. Lipid metabolism in different DCs states are significantly changed. However, the lipid metabolism of [...] Read more.

Shrimp allergy (SA) is pathological type 2 inflammatory immune responses against harmless shrimp protein allergen, which is caused by complex interactions between dendritic cells (DCs) and other immune cells. Lipid metabolism in different DCs states are significantly changed. However, the lipid metabolism of spleen DCs in SA remain ambiguous. In this study, we established a BALB/c mouse shrimp protein extract-induced allergy model to determine the lipid profile of spleen DCs in SA, and the molecular mechanism between lipid metabolism and immune inflammation was preliminarily studied. Spleen DCs were sorted by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and then widely targeted lipidomics and transcriptomics analysis were performed. Principal component analysis presented the lipidome alterations in SA. The transcriptomic data showed that Prkcg was involved in lipid metabolism, immune system, and inflammatory signaling pathway. In the correlation analysis, the results suggested that Prkcg was positively correlated with triacylglycerol (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.917, p = 0.01). The lipidomics and transcriptomics integrated pathway analysis indicated the activated metabolic conversion from triacylglycerol to 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol and the transmission of lipid metabolism to immune inflammation (from triacylglycerol and ceramide to Prkcg) in SA spleen DCs, and cellular experiments in vitro showed that glyceryl trioleate and C16 ceramide treatment induced immune function alteration in DCs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into the Sources, Symptoms, and Management of Food Allergy)

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Review

Jump to: Research

23 pages, 2667 KiB

Open AccessReview

Food Allergies and Parasites in Children

by Kacper Packi, Alicja Rudek, Joanna Matysiak, Sylwia Klimczak, Eliza Matuszewska, Natalia Rzetecka and Jan Matysiak

Foods 2023, 12(13), 2465; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12132465 - 23 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4469

Abstract

The dynamically growing incidence of food allergies forces the scientific community to develop new methods for their diagnosis, differentiation, and effective treatment. Parasitoses appear much less frequently in the scientific literature, as well as among the presumed causes of numerous conditions. The similarity [...] Read more.

The dynamically growing incidence of food allergies forces the scientific community to develop new methods for their diagnosis, differentiation, and effective treatment. Parasitoses appear much less frequently in the scientific literature, as well as among the presumed causes of numerous conditions. The similarity of inflammatory mechanisms in allergies and parasitosis necessitates a revision of current diagnostic standards. A lack of specificity and the coincidence of symptoms at an early stage of disease can lead to misdiagnosis. In this paper, we attempted to perform a comparative analysis of the similarities and differences in symptoms for these two types of diseases. We described the molecular mechanisms and metabolic pathways of food allergy and parasitosis. We presented the available research methods and directions of ongoing studies aimed at implementing precise medical techniques for differential diagnosis. We discussed the allergenic properties of certain parasite proteins, using the example of myofibrillar tropomyosins from the nematode Anisakis simplex. The literature in the fields of allergology and parasitology leads to the conclusion that it is reasonable to run parallel allergological and parasitological diagnostics in patients with non-specific symptoms. This approach will facilitate accurate and early diagnosis and implementation of effective therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into the Sources, Symptoms, and Management of Food Allergy)

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22 pages, 3829 KiB

Open AccessReview

Food Allergens of Plant Origin

by Yuzhu Zhang, Huilian Che, Caiming Li and Tengchuan Jin

Foods 2023, 12(11), 2232; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12112232 - 01 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2378

Abstract

This review presents an update on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of food allergens in plant sources, focusing on the few protein families that contribute to multiple food allergens from different species and protein families recently found to contain food allergens. The [...] Read more.

This review presents an update on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of food allergens in plant sources, focusing on the few protein families that contribute to multiple food allergens from different species and protein families recently found to contain food allergens. The structures and structural components of the food allergens in the allergen families may provide further directions for discovering new food allergens. Answers as to what makes some food proteins allergens are still elusive. Factors to be considered in mitigating food allergens include the abundance of the protein in a food, the property of short stretches of the sequence of the protein that may constitute linear IgE binding epitopes, the structural properties of the protein, its stability to heat and digestion, the food matrix the protein is in, and the antimicrobial activity to the microbial flora of the human gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, recent data suggest that widely used techniques for mapping linear IgE binding epitopes need to be improved by incorporating positive controls, and methodologies for mapping conformational IgE binding epitopes need to be developed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into the Sources, Symptoms, and Management of Food Allergy)

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