In situ expression of interleukin-4, -5 and -6 in Peyer's patch from ovalbumin-sensitized BALB/c mice after oral challenge

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to analyze in situ expression of cytokines (i.e. interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-6 and interferon (IFN)-γ in the gut after oral challenge with ovalbumin (OVA) in mice intraperitoneally sensitized with OVA and aluminum). High anti-OVA IgE production was elicited after sensitization. We confirmed the anaphylactic response in the gut after oral challenge by evaluation of the edema of villi and marked eosinophil infiltration in the lamina propria. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated the presence of IL-4-, IL-5- and IL-6-producing cells (PC) and a lack of IFN-γ-PC in Peyer's patch. The kinetics of IL-5-PC and eosinophil infiltration showed a good synchronization. The predominance of the type 2 helper T cell (Th2) cytokine may lead to the anaphylactic response and marked eosinophil infiltration in the gut in our system. It is possible that our system mimics the immunological events that occur in the gut in food allergy.

Keywords

• cytokines
• eosinophils
• food allergy
• gut