Aflatoxin B1 can aggravate BALB/c mice allergy to ovalbumin through changing their Th2 cells immune responses

Foods contaminated by Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) frequently happen in the world and can cause a lot healthy damages to human beings, meanwhile, some of these foods are easily irritate food allergy. To investigate the effect of AFB1 exposure on food allergy, three doses of AFB1 were set, including 0.3 mu g/kg center dot bw (LDAF), 7.5 mu g/kg center dot bw (MDAF), and 100.0 mu g/kg center dot bw (HDAF), respectively; food allergy model was constructed by the BALB/c mice allergy to ovalbumin (OVA). The changes of titer in OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE), IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, as well as level of the mMCP-1 in sera were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively; the levels of interleukin (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) and interferon (IFN)-gamma in spleen were separately assessed using ELISA kits, and their relative genes expression were verified by Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (Q-PCR); the population of Th1/Th2/Treg cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results showed that when OVA-allergic mice were exposed to AFB1, the production of OVA-specific IgE, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, and mMCP-1 were all increased, whereas the level of IFN-gamma was decreased; the Th1/Th2 balance was disrupted and the development of Th cells tilted to the Th2 phenotype. The study would contribute to further understand the risk of fungal toxins in food allergy.

Automated summary

Food contaminated with Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a widespread issue worldwide and can cause significant health damage to humans. In addition, some of these contaminated foods can lead to food allergies. This study aimed to investigate the impact of AFB1 exposure on food allergy using a mouse model. Results showed that exposure to AFB1 increased the production of specific IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and mMCP-1 in allergic mice, while decreasing the level of IFN-gamma. The balance between Th1/Th2 cells was disrupted, favoring the development of Th2 cells. This research contributes to a better understanding of the risks associated with fungal toxins in food allergies.