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Oral immunization with a recombinant major grass pollen allergen induces blocking antibodies in mice
Nicole de Weerd1, Prem L Bhalla, Mohan B Singh
1Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Institute of Land and Food Resources, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia.
Background:
Immunotherapy for the treatment of pollen allergies traditionally involves a series of parenteral injections of a crude pollen extract. Successful application of this treatment results in the development of systemic tolerance to the sensitizing allergens, including the induction of blocking antibodies.
Objective:
We sought to investigate whether oral immunization with a recombinant pollen allergen could induce a systemic immune response, and the production of systemic blocking antibodies in mice.
Methods:
C57BL/10 mice were orally administered rLol p 5 or sodium chloride solution via gavage.
Results:
We report that the oral administration of rLol p 5 induced a systemic immune response, including the induction of both blocking and interspecific cross-reactive antibodies.
Conclusion:
Our results suggest that oral administration of a major grass pollen allergen can induce the development of a systemic immune response including the production of systemic blocking and cross-reactive antibodies, a response that may offer immunological protection upon subsequent allergen exposure.