Immune sensing of food allergens promotes avoidance behaviour.

ABSTRACT: In addition to its canonical function of protection from pathogens, the immune system can also alter behaviour^1,2. The scope and mechanisms of behavioural modifications by the immune system are not yet well understood. Here, using mouse models of food allergy, we show that allergic sensitization drives antigen-specific avoidance behaviour. Allergen ingestion activates brain areas involved in the response to aversive stimuli, including the nucleus of tractus solitarius, parabrachial nucleus and central amygdala. Allergen avoidance requires immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies and mast cells but precedes the development of gut allergic inflammation. The ability of allergen-specific IgE and mast cells to promote avoidance requires cysteinyl leukotrienes and growth and differentiation

SUBMITTER: Florsheim EB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10432274 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature