Maternal and early-life vitamin D deficiency enhances allergic reaction in an ovalbumin-sensitized BALB/c mouse model

  • Jiang Wu
  • Yan Zhong
  • Xiuhua Shen
  • Kefeng Yang
  • Wei Cai
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v62.1401
Keywords: vitamin D deficiency, food allergy, Treg cells, tight junctions, intestinal epithelial barrier

Abstract

Background: Recent studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to the high prevalence of food allergy but the underlying mechanisms are far from clear.

Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the effect of maternal and early-life vitamin D deficiency in the development of food allergy.

Design: BALB/c mice were treated with ovalbumin (OVA) to trigger allergic reactions, under vitamin D-deficient (by maternal and early-life feeding of vitamin D deprived chow diet) or vitamin D-sufficient conditions.

Results: Increased occurrence and severity of allergic diarrhea as well as decreased rectal temperature were observed after OVA sensitization. For vitamin D deficiency groups, OVA-specific IgE and IL-4 levels were significantly increased, while IFN-γ levels were unchanged. Vitamin D deficiency also attenuated the structure of small intestinal villi and decreased the expression of the tight junction protein between adjacent epithelial cells and the percentages of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cell in spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes.

Conclusions: Maternal and early-life vitamin D deficiency have notable influence on the susceptibility to food allergy, which may relate with the reduced population of Treg cell and the dysfunction of intestinal epithelial barrier.

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Published
2018-05-31
How to Cite
Wu J., Zhong Y., Shen X., Yang K., & Cai W. (2018). Maternal and early-life vitamin D deficiency enhances allergic reaction in an ovalbumin-sensitized BALB/c mouse model. Food & Nutrition Research, 62. https://doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v62.1401
Issue
Vol 62 (2018)
Section
Original Articles

Authors retain copyright of their work, with first publication rights granted to SNF Swedish Nutrition Foundation. Read the full Copyright- and Licensing Statement.

 

 

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