NLRP3 priming due to skin damage precedes LTP allergic sensitization in a mouse model

Allergic sensitization is initiated by protein and epithelia interaction, although the molecular mechanisms leading this encounter toward an allergic phenotype remain unknown. Here, we apply the two-hit hypothesis of inflammatory diseases to the study of food allergy sensitization. First, we studied the effects of long-term depilation in mice by analyzing samples at different time points. Several weeks of depilation were needed until clear immunological changes were evidenced, starting with upregulation of NLRP3 protein levels, which was followed by overexpression of Il1b and Il18 transcripts. Secondly, we assessed the effects of allergen addition (in this case, Pru p 3 in complex with its natural lipid ligand) over depilated skin. Systemic sensitization was evaluated by intraperitoneal provocation with Pru p 3 and measure of body temperature. Anaphylaxis was achieved, but only in mice sensitized with Prup3_complex and not treated with the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950, thus demonstrating the importance of both hits (depilation + allergen addition) in the consecution of the allergic phenotype. In addition, allergen encounter (but not depilation) promoted skin remodeling, as well as CD45+ infiltration not only in the sensitized area (the skin), but across several mucosal tissues (skin, lungs, and gut), furtherly validating the systemization of the response. Finally, a low-scale study with human ILC2s is reported, where we demonstrate that Prup3_complex can induce their phenotype switch (up arrow CD86, up arrow S1P1) when cultured in vitro, although more data is needed to understand the implications of these changes in food allergy development.

Automated summary

In this study, the two-hit hypothesis of inflammatory diseases was applied to investigate the sensitization of food allergy. It was found that long-term depilation in mice resulted in immunological changes, which were further enhanced by the addition of allergen. The encounter with allergen also led to skin remodeling and infiltration of mucosal tissues. Additionally, the study with human ILC2s demonstrated that allergen could induce a phenotype switch. These findings have important implications for understanding the development of food allergy.