A new experimental model to study shrimp allergy

• Published in: Immunology letters Vol. 260; pp. 73 - 80
• Main Authors: Nunes, Ivanéia Valeriano, Andrade, Camila Mattos, Guerra, Priscila Valera, Khouri, Mariana Ivo, Galantini, Maria Poliana Leite, da Silva, Robson Amaro Augusto, Faquim-Mauro, Eliana L., Farias, Leonardo Paiva, Rebouças, Juliana de Souza, Faria, Ana Maria Caetano, Brodskyn, Cláudia Ida
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.08.2023
• Subjects: Eosinophils; Food allergy; IgE; Intestinal mucosa; Shrimp allergy; Food allergy; IgE; Intestinal mucosa; Shrimp allergy; Eosinophils
• ISSN: 0165-2478; 1879-0542
• DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2023.06.007

•Shrimp is among the most common food allergen that causes severe allergic reactions, however, there is still a lack of experimental models for the study of shrimp allergy and prophylactic approaches development.•Subcutaneous sensitization induced a Th2-driven cytokine response at draining lymph nodes.•Oral exposure to shrimp antigens induced high titters of serum and intestinal mucosal anti-shrimp antibodies.•Eosinophils are found in the lamina propria of the jejunum of allergic mice.•Allergic mice show histological morphometric changes as a shortage of intestinal villi length and crypt depth. Shrimp is among the most sensitizing food allergens and has been associated with many anaphylaxis reactions. However, there is still a shortage of studies that enable a systematic understanding of this disease and the investigation of new therapeutic approaches. This study aimed to develop a new experimental model of shrimp allergy that could enable the evaluation of new prophylactic treatments. BALB/c mice were subcutaneously sensitized with 100 μg of shrimp proteins of Litopenaeus vannamei adsorbed in 1 mg of aluminum hydroxide on day 0, and a booster (100 µg of shrimp proteins only) on day 14. The oral challenge protocol was based on the addition of 5 mg/ml of shrimp proteins to water from day 21 to day 35. Analysis of shrimp extract content detected at least 4 of the major allergens reported to L. vannamei. In response to the sensitization, allergic mice showed significantly enhanced IL-4 and IL-10 production in restimulated cervical draining lymph node cells. High detection of serum anti-shrimp IgE and IgG1 suggested the development of allergies to shrimp while Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis assay revealed an IgE-mediated response. Immunoblotting analysis revealed that Allergic mice developed antibodies to multiple antigens present in the shrimp extract. These observations were supported by the detection of anti-shrimp IgA production in intestinal lavage samples and morphometric intestinal mucosal changes. Therefore, this experimental protocol can be a tool to evaluate prophylactic and therapeutic approaches.