ESPGHAN: Irish scientists have identified a novel milk-derived component that may help resolve cow’s milk protein allergy

http://www.merckmedicus.com/conference-reports/10/ESPGHAN-Irish-scientists-have-identified-a-novel-milk-derived-component-that-may-help-resolve-cow-s-milk-protein-allergy?


presented at the Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition



Irish scientists have identified a novel milk-derived component that can specifically suppress secretion of IL-4 by differentiated Th2 cells. The presence of such a component in hypoallergenic infant formula may act to suppress the over-activated Th2 response associated with allergy and find usefulness in enhancing resolution of cow’s milk protein allergy. Researchers at the Immunomodulation Group, Dublin City University, and colleagues presented their paper at ESPGHAN, held in May in Amsterdam.

In Europe, 20% to 30% of infants are diagnosed with an atopic disease. The majority of first atopic responses are directed towards food proteins that are observed during the first months of life, such as cows milk protein. Cows milk protein allergy (CMPA) affects 2.2% to 7.5% of infants worldwide and is a growing public health problem in Western Europe and the USA. Existing hypoallergenic formula solutions adopt avoidance strategies such as the extensive hydrolysis of whey or casein proteins (using proteolytic bacteria or enzymes). However, allergic responses are associated with a dominant T helper type 2 (Th2) response, which plays a key role in triggering IgE production by B cells. The aim of the Irish study was to assess whether novel milk-derived component can suppress Th2 responses which may enhance resolution of CMPA and lower the risk of developing a further allergy.

Murine spleenocytes were isolated from the spleens of 8-14 week old BALB/c mice and purified for CD4+ T-cells using magnetic negative isolation. After extensive cell activation and differention, The novel milk-derived component was added during T helper cell differentiation. Th1 and Th2 subsets were confirmed using ELISA analysis of cytokine production after 3 days. The novel milk-derived component specifically suppressed the secretion of IL-4 from differentiated Th2 cells in a dose dependent manner. A regenerated form of the novel milk-derived component also had the same effect. Interestingly, the novel component had no effect on Th1 cells and the level of secretion of IFNγ was not affected by the presence of the component. This suggests that the component specifically suppresses Th2 responses.