Jejunal response to beta-lactoglobulin in infants with cow's milk allergy [lympho-epithelial reactivity, intestinal anaphylaxis]

• Published in: Comptes rendus de l'Académie des sciences, Série III, Sciences de la vie Vol. 318; no. 6; p. 683
• Main Authors: Saidi, D. (Universite d'Oran (Algerie). Laboratoire de Physiologie de la Nutrition), Heyman, M, Kheroua, O, Boudraa, G, Bylsma, P, Kerroucha, R, Chekroun, A, Maragi, J.A, Touhami, P, Desjeux, J.F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France 01.06.1995
• Subjects: ABSORCION DIGESTIVA; ABSORPTION DIGESTIVE; ALERGIA ALIMENTARIA; ALLERGIE ALIMENTAIRE; ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS; BEBES; BETA LACTOGLOBULIN; BETA LACTOGLOBULINA; BETA LACTOGLOBULINE; Biopsy; COW MILK; DESTETE; DIGESTIVE ABSORPTION; ENFANT EN BAS AGE; Epithelium - drug effects; Female; FOOD ALLERGIES; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; INFANTS; INTESTIN; INTESTINES; INTESTINOS; Jejunum - drug effects; Jejunum - pathology; Jejunum - physiopathology; Lactalbumin - pharmacology; Lactoglobulins - pharmacology; LAIT DE VACHE; LECHE DE VACA; Male; Milk Hypersensitivity - metabolism; Milk Hypersensitivity - pathology; Milk Hypersensitivity - physiopathology; REACCIONES ANAFILACTICAS; REACTION ANAPHYLACTIQUE; SEVRAGE; WEANING
• ISSN: 0764-4469

Weaning is a transient period of life during which maternal proteins are replaced by foreign proteins. Concomitantly, in early postnatal life, both digestive and immune systems undergo a maturation process. Allergy to cow's milk protein may develop in human infants during weaning, determining digestive, respiratory, cutaneous or systemic symptoms. We studied the intestinal response to bovine milk beta-lactoglobulin (beta-LG) in infants with cow's milk allergy, first during the active phase, and then during the symptom-free stage. During the active phase, transepithelial transport of the beta-LG across the intestinal epithelial layer stimulated the sensitized subepithelial immune cells. This stimulation induced a rise in short-circuit current suggestive of an electrogenic chloride secretion and impaired protein handling by the epithelium. These findings underline the dual role of the epithelial layer in intestinal function: on one hand, it takes an active part in allowing dietary antigens to stimulate the submucosal system, and on the other hand becomes the target for mediators involved in food allergy.