Development of allergen-specific immunotherapy based on the biological cross-reactivity between cow's milk and soybean

CANDREVA, ANGELA M; CURCIARELLO, RENATA; SMALDINI, PAOLA L.; ORSINI DELGADO, M. LUCÍA; PETRUCCELLI, SILVANA; DOCENA, GUILLERMO H.

Los Cocos

Congreso; LXI Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Inmunología; 2013

Sociedad Argentina de Inmunología

Cow´s milk allergy (CMA) constitutes the main food allergy observed in the pediatric population in Argentina and in many other countries. Soy-based formulas are frequently used as a dairy substitute in children with CMA. Our group found that three soy allergens (A5A4B3, alpha-conglycinin subunit and P34) cross-react with bovine caseins (BC). In this work we aimed to explore the immunmodulation of CMA using the main soy allergen P34. IgE binding capacity of recombinant P34 was investigated by immunoblotting and basophil activation test (BAT) using CMA patients sera. The immunochemical cross-reactivity was confirmed with a competitive ELISA using mAb anti alpha-BC. A cow´s milk food allergy mouse model was wmployed to investigate the clinical relevance of this phenomenon. Finally, we developed a sublingual immunotherapy with P34 to control the hypersensitivity against milk allergens. Control animals and control milk allergens were included. P34 was recognized by IgE antibodies by immunoblotting and the functional BAT, and by the BC-specific mAb (competitive ELISA). Milk proteins induced a specipic humoral and cellular Th2-biased immune response in mice and the oral challenge with P34 promoted hipersensitivity symptoms. Pretreatment of milk-allergic mice through the sublingual administration of P34 reduced the clinical score of allergic mice, supressed the secretion of CMP-specific antibodies (p