Mechanisms of reduced sensitization by extensive hydrolysis of milk protein concentrate: Impact on the immune response of Th1/Th2 and Treg/Th17 cells in mice

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Extensively hydrolyzed protein products not only provide sufficient nutrition but also effectively reduce the allergenicity of milk proteins. However, there was limited information about the sensitization of extensive hydrolysate of milk protein concentrate (EMPH). In this study, the mechanism by which EMPH reduce sensitization was studied by constructing a milk protein concentrate (MPC) sensitization evaluation animal model. The results demonstrated that the serum levels of the specific IgE, IgG, and IgG1 antibodies in the EMPH group (one-step alcalase-protamex [O-AX] and two-step alcalase-protamex [T-AX]) were significantly decreased (P < 0.01). In addition, compared with the MPC group (19.29%), the expression of CD3+CD4+ T cells in the O-AX (16.61%) and T-AX groups (15.94%) was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). This indicated an imbalance of Th1/Th2 in the MPC group, which was confirmed by the results of cytokines and transcription factors in the spleen. The mice in the control MPC group highly expressed FcεRI+CD117+ mast cells (22.25%), peripheral blood B cells (2.91%), and CD3+CD8+ T cells (8.65%). The results indicated that EMPH did not cause an imbalance of Th1/Th2 cells and Treg/Th17 cells in mice and had lower sensitization.

Keywords

• allergenicity
• milk protein concentrate
• extensive hydrolysates
• peptidomics