Commensal bacteria protect against food allergen sensitization

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Sep 9;111(36):13145-50. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1412008111. Epub 2014 Aug 25.

Abstract

Environmentally induced alterations in the commensal microbiota have been implicated in the increasing prevalence of food allergy. We show here that sensitization to a food allergen is increased in mice that have been treated with antibiotics or are devoid of a commensal microbiota. By selectively colonizing gnotobiotic mice, we demonstrate that the allergy-protective capacity is conferred by a Clostridia-containing microbiota. Microarray analysis of intestinal epithelial cells from gnotobiotic mice revealed a previously unidentified mechanism by which Clostridia regulate innate lymphoid cell function and intestinal epithelial permeability to protect against allergen sensitization. Our findings will inform the development of novel approaches to prevent or treat food allergy based on modulating the composition of the intestinal microbiota.

Keywords: IL-22; barrier; microbiome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / immunology*
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacteria / drug effects
  • Bacteria / immunology*
  • Clostridium / drug effects
  • Clostridium / growth & development
  • Clostridium / immunology
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Epithelial Cells / drug effects
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Food Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Food Hypersensitivity / microbiology
  • Food Hypersensitivity / prevention & control*
  • Immunity, Innate / drug effects
  • Immunity, Innate / genetics
  • Immunization*
  • Interleukin-22
  • Interleukins / metabolism
  • Intestines / pathology
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microbiota / drug effects

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Interleukins

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE60039