A mouse model of lupin allergy

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Allergology
• Food Science

Background:

• Lupin is increasingly used as a food ingredient in Europe.
• Allergic reactions to lupin are reported, often due to cross-reactivity with peanut allergy.
• Primary lupin allergy cases have also been documented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a mouse model for lupin-induced food allergy with anaphylaxis as the endpoint.
• To establish a statistical method for determining the maximal sensitizing allergen dose using minimal animal subjects.

Main Methods:

• Mice were immunized via gavage with lupin protein and cholera toxin adjuvant.
• A response surface design was employed to estimate the maximal sensitizing lupin dose based on IgE levels.
• The developed model was evaluated by challenging mice and measuring anaphylactic signs, antibody responses (IgE, IgG2a), and cytokine production.

Main Results:

• The dose eliciting maximal sensitization was determined to be 5.7 mg lupin protein per immunization.
• Mice receiving this dose exhibited anaphylactic reactions, developed IgE against lupin proteins, and showed elevated mouse mast cell protease-1 (MMCP-1) levels.
• A shift towards a T-helper type 2 immune response was observed, with MMCP-1 levels correlating with anaphylaxis severity.

Conclusions:

• A reproducible mouse model for lupin allergy exhibiting clinical symptoms has been established.
• An optimized dose of lupin protein for maximal sensitization in this model was identified.
• A statistical approach for determining optimal immunization doses with reduced animal usage was successfully described.