Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 27, 2025
Removal and Replacement of Endogenous Ligands from Lipid-Bound Proteins and Allergens
Published on: February 24, 2021
The extended farm effect: The milk protein β-lactoglobulin in stable dust protects against allergies
Hanna Mayerhofer1, Katharina Zednik1, Isabella Pali-Schöll1,2
1Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna and Medical University Vienna, and.
Background:
The allergy- and asthma-protective farm effect is mediated by numerous factors. Especially dust from cattle stables and raw cow's milk show beneficial properties, suggesting a bovine protein to be involved. As a major milk protein and member of the lipocalin family, β-lactoglobulin (BLG) binds small, hydrophobic ligands and thereby modulates the immune response. Empty BLG promotes allergy development, whereas BLG in association with ligands shows allergy-preventive as well as allergy-reducing effects in vivo and in vitro.
Results:
BLG has been identified as a major protein in stable dust (therein bound to zinc) as well as in the air around cattle stables. This association with zinc favors an allergy-protective immune profile.
Conclusion:
Its immune-modulating, allergy-protective characteristics together with its presence in raw cow's milk as well as in stable dust and ambient air render BLG an essential contributor to the farm effect.
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