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478955 
Journal Article 
Allergic Sensitization to Bovine beta-Lactoglobulin: Comparison between Germ-Free and Conventional BALB/c Mice 
Hazebrouck, S; Przybylski-Nicaise, L; Ah-Leung, S; Adel-Patient, K; Corthier, G; Wal, JM; Rabot, S 
2009 
Yes 
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology
ISSN: 1018-2438
EISSN: 1423-0097 
148 
1 
65-72 
English 
Background: The 'hygiene hypothesis' suggests that high hygienic standards met in western countries lead to a lack of microbial exposure, thus promoting the development of atopy by preventing the proper maturation of the immune system. Germ-free animals are deprived of the immune stimulation that occurs during postnatal gut colonization by commensal bacteria. Germ-free mice could thereby provide an attractive model for studying the impact of gut microbiota on the development of Th2-mediated disorders such as allergy. Methods: Germ-free and conventional BALB/c mice were sensitized to beta-lactoglobulin (BLG), a major cow's milk allergen, by means of intraperitoneal injections in the presence of incomplete Freund's adjuvant. Time courses of serum and fecal BLG-specific antibody responses were monitored and cytokine production was assayed in BLG-reactivated splenocytes. Results: Serum BLG-specific IgG1 and IgE concentrations were significantly higher in germ-free mice during the primary immune response and IgE production persisted longer in germ-free mice. Furthermore, secretion of BLG-specific IgA was evidenced only in feces from germfree mice while, in contrast, fecal IgG1 concentrations were at least 3-fold higher in conventional mice than in germ-free mice. Production of IL-5, IL-10 and IFN-gamma was 3-fold enhanced in BLG-reactivated splenocytes from germ-free mice. Conclusion: The absence of gut microbiota significantly affects the BLG-specific immune response in BALB/c mice, thus suggesting that this model might be of interest for further studies exploring the influence of gut colonization by different bacterial strains on the development of an allergic-type sensitization. Copyright (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel 
Germ-free mice; BALB/c mice; Allergy; Sensitization; beta-Lactoglobulin; oral tolerance induction; cows milk allergy; intestinal; bacterial-flora; enzyme immunometric assays; mucosal immune-response; toll-like receptors; regulatory t-cells; mouse model; hygiene; hypothesis; food allergy