A distinct microbiota composition is associated with protection from food allergy in an oral mouse immunization model

In our mouse model, gastric acid-suppression is associated with antigen-specific IgE and anaphylaxis development. We repeatedly observed non-responder animals protected from food allergy. Here, we aimed to analyse reasons for this protection. Ten out of 64 mice, subjected to oral ovalbumin (OVA) immunizations under gastric acid-suppression, were non-responders without OVA-specific IgE or IgG1 elevation, indicating protection from allergy. In these non-responders, allergen challenges confirmed reduced antigen uptake and lack of anaphylactic symptoms, while in allergic mice high levels of mouse mast-cell protease-1 and a body temperature reduction, indicative for anaphylaxis, were determined. Upon OVA stimulation, significantly lower IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IL-13 levels were detected in non-responders, while IL-22 was significantly higher. Comparison of fecal microbiota revealed differences of bacterial communities on single bacterial Operational-Taxonomic-Unit level between the groups, indicating protection from food allergy being associated with a distinct microbiota composition in a non-responding phenotype in this mouse model.

• Diesner, S. C.
• Bergmayr, C.
• Pfitzner, B.
• Assmann, V.
• Krishnamurthy, D.
• Starkl, P.
• Endesfelder, D.
• Rothballer, M.
• Welzl, G.
• Rattei, T.
• Eiwegger, T.
• Szepfalusi, Z.
• Fehrenbach, H.
• Jensen-Jarolim, E.
• Hartmann, A.
• Pali-Scholl, I.
• Untersmayr, E.