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Kaag S, Lorentz A. Effects of Dietary Components on Mast Cells: Possible Use as Nutraceuticals for Allergies? Cells 2023; 12:2602. [PMID: 37998337 PMCID: PMC10670325 DOI: 10.3390/cells12222602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Allergic diseases affect an estimated 30 percent of the world's population. Mast cells (MC) are the key effector cells of allergic reactions by releasing pro-inflammatory mediators such as histamine, lipid mediators, and cytokines/chemokines. Components of the daily diet, including certain fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins, as well as secondary plant components, may have effects on MC and thus may be of interest as nutraceuticals for the prevention and treatment of allergies. This review summarizes the anti-inflammatory effects of dietary components on MC, including the signaling pathways involved, in in vitro and in vivo models. Butyrate, calcitriol, kaempferol, quercetin, luteolin, resveratrol, curcumin, and cinnamon extract were the most effective in suppressing the release of preformed and de novo synthesized mediators from MC or in animal models. In randomized controlled trials (RCT), vitamin D, quercetin, O-methylated epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), resveratrol, curcumin, and cinnamon extract improved symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR) and reduced the number of inflammatory cells in patients. However, strategies to overcome the poor bioavailability of these nutrients are an important part of current research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Axel Lorentz
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, University of Hohenheim, D-70593 Stuttgart, Germany
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Aguayo-Cerón KA, Sánchez-Muñoz F, Gutierrez-Rojas RA, Acevedo-Villavicencio LN, Flores-Zarate AV, Huang F, Giacoman-Martinez A, Villafaña S, Romero-Nava R. Glycine: The Smallest Anti-Inflammatory Micronutrient. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11236. [PMID: 37510995 PMCID: PMC10379184 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycine is a non-essential amino acid with many functions and effects. Glycine can bind to specific receptors and transporters that are expressed in many types of cells throughout an organism to exert its effects. There have been many studies focused on the anti-inflammatory effects of glycine, including its abilities to decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines and the concentration of free fatty acids, to improve the insulin response, and to mediate other changes. However, the mechanism through which glycine acts is not clear. In this review, we emphasize that glycine exerts its anti-inflammatory effects throughout the modulation of the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in many cells. Although glycine is a non-essential amino acid, we highlight how dietary glycine supplementation is important in avoiding the development of chronic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla Aidee Aguayo-Cerón
- Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Ciudad de Mexico 11340, Mexico
| | - Fausto Sánchez-Muñoz
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez", Ciudad de Mexico 14080, Mexico
| | | | | | - Aurora Vanessa Flores-Zarate
- Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Ciudad de Mexico 11340, Mexico
| | - Fengyang Huang
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Obesidad y Asma, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Ciudad de Mexico 06720, Mexico
| | - Abraham Giacoman-Martinez
- Laboratorio de Framacología, Departamaneto de Ciencias de la Salud, DCBS, Universidad Autónoma Mteropolitana-Iztapalapa (UAM-I), Ciudad de Mexico 09340, Mexico
| | - Santiago Villafaña
- Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Ciudad de Mexico 11340, Mexico
| | - Rodrigo Romero-Nava
- Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Ciudad de Mexico 11340, Mexico
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3
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Hosseini M, Iraji zad A, Vossoughi M, Hosseini M. L-lysine biodetector based on a TOCNFs-coated Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM). Eur Polym J 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2023.111831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Gutiérrez-Rojas RA, Aguayo-Cerón KA, Vargas-De-León C, Cabrera-Becerra SE, Almanza-Pérez JC, Huang F, Villafaña S, Romero-Nava R. Glycine Effect on the Expression Profile of Orphan Receptors GPR21, GPR26, GPR39, GPR82 and GPR6 in a Model of Inflammation in 3T3-L1 Cells. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:1687. [PMID: 36362842 PMCID: PMC9696036 DOI: 10.3390/life12111687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic or low-grade inflammation is a process where various immune cells are recruited from the periphery into adipose tissue. This event gives rise to localised inflammation, in addition to having a close interaction with cardiometabolic pathologies where the mediation of orphan receptors is observed. The aim of this study was to analyse the participation of the orphan receptors GPR21, GPR39, GPR82 and GPR6 in a chronic inflammatory process in 3T3-L1 cells. The 3T3-L1 cells were stimulated with TNF-α (5 ng/mL) for 60 min as an inflammatory model. Gene expression was measured by RT-qPCR. RESULTS We showed that the inflammatory stimulus of TNF-α in adipocytes decreased the expression of the orphan receptors GPR21, GPR26, GPR39, GPR82 and GPR6, which are related to low-grade inflammation. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that GPR21 and GPR82 are modulated by glycine, it shows a possible protective role in the presence of an inflammatory environment in adipocytes, and they could be a therapeutic target to decrease the inflammation in some diseases related to low-grade inflammation such as diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karla Aidee Aguayo-Cerón
- Laboratorio de Señalización Intracelular, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado, Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico
| | - Cruz Vargas-De-León
- Laboratorio de Señalización Intracelular, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado, Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico
- División de Investigación, Hospital Juárez de México, Ciudad de México 07760, Mexico
| | - Sandra Edith Cabrera-Becerra
- Laboratorio de Señalización Intracelular, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado, Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico
| | - Julio Cesar Almanza-Pérez
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, DCBS, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa (UAM-I), Ciudad de México 09340, Mexico
| | - Fengyang Huang
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Farmacología, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez (HIMFG), Ciudad de México 06720, Mexico
| | - Santiago Villafaña
- Laboratorio de Señalización Intracelular, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado, Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico
| | - Rodrigo Romero-Nava
- Laboratorio de Señalización Intracelular, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado, Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico
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Basak S, Gokhale J. Immunity boosting nutraceuticals: Current trends and challenges. J Food Biochem 2021; 46:e13902. [PMID: 34467553 DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.13902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The immune function of the human body is highly influenced by the dietary intake of certain nutrients and bioactive compounds present in foods. The preventive effects of these bioactive ingredients against various diseases have been well investigated. Functional foods are consumed across various diverse cultures, in some form or the other, which provide benefits greater than the basic nutritional needs. Novel functional foods are being developed using novel bioactive ingredients such as probiotics, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and various phytoconstituents, which have a range of immunomodulatory properties. Apart from immunomodulation, these ingredients also affect immunity by their antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. The global pandemic of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 has forced the scientific community to race against time to find a proper and effective drug or a vaccine. In this review, various non-pharmacological interventions using nutraceuticals and functional foods have been discussed. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Despite a plethora of research being undertaken to understand the immunity boosting properties of the various bioactive present in food, the findings are not translating to nutraceutical products in the market. Immunity has proved to be one of the most important factors for the health and well-being of an individual, especially when the world has been under the grip of the novel coronavirus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2. The anti-inflammatory properties of various nutraceuticals can come out as potential inhibitors of the various inflammatory processes such as cytokine storms, usually being observed in COVID 19. This review gives an insight into how various nutraceuticals can help in the prevention of various diseases through different mechanisms. The lack of awareness and proper clinical trials pose a challenge to the nutraceutical industry. This review will help and encourage researchers to further design and develop various functional foods, which might help in building immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somnath Basak
- Department of Food Engineering and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, India
| | - Jyoti Gokhale
- Department of Food Engineering and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, India
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Rodriguez-Coira J, Villaseñor A, Izquierdo E, Huang M, Barker-Tejeda TC, Radzikowska U, Sokolowska M, Barber D. The Importance of Metabolism for Immune Homeostasis in Allergic Diseases. Front Immunol 2021; 12:692004. [PMID: 34394086 PMCID: PMC8355700 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.692004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that the metabolic status of T cells and macrophages is associated with severe phenotypes of chronic inflammation, including allergic inflammation. Metabolic changes in immune cells have a crucial role in their inflammatory or regulatory responses. This notion is reinforced by metabolic diseases influencing global energy metabolism, such as diabetes or obesity, which are known risk factors of severity in inflammatory conditions, due to the metabolic-associated inflammation present in these patients. Since several metabolic pathways are closely tied to T cell and macrophage differentiation, a better understanding of metabolic alterations in immune disorders could help to restore and modulate immune cell functions. This link between energy metabolism and inflammation can be studied employing animal, human or cellular models. Analytical approaches rank from classic immunological studies to integrated analysis of metabolomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics. This review summarizes the main metabolic pathways of the cells involved in the allergic reaction with a focus on T cells and macrophages and describes different models and platforms of analysis used to study the immune system and its relationship with metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Rodriguez-Coira
- Departamento de Ciencias Medicas Basicas, Instituto de Medicina Molecular Aplicada (IMMA), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Boadilla Del Monte, Madrid, Spain.,Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Boadilla Del Monte, Madrid, Spain.,Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of Zurich, Davos Wolfgang, Switzerland
| | - Alma Villaseñor
- Departamento de Ciencias Medicas Basicas, Instituto de Medicina Molecular Aplicada (IMMA), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Boadilla Del Monte, Madrid, Spain.,Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Boadilla Del Monte, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Izquierdo
- Departamento de Ciencias Medicas Basicas, Instituto de Medicina Molecular Aplicada (IMMA), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Boadilla Del Monte, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mengting Huang
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of Zurich, Davos Wolfgang, Switzerland
| | - Tomás Clive Barker-Tejeda
- Departamento de Ciencias Medicas Basicas, Instituto de Medicina Molecular Aplicada (IMMA), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Boadilla Del Monte, Madrid, Spain.,Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Boadilla Del Monte, Madrid, Spain
| | - Urszula Radzikowska
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of Zurich, Davos Wolfgang, Switzerland
| | - Milena Sokolowska
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of Zurich, Davos Wolfgang, Switzerland
| | - Domingo Barber
- Departamento de Ciencias Medicas Basicas, Instituto de Medicina Molecular Aplicada (IMMA), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Boadilla Del Monte, Madrid, Spain
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Benedé S, Berin MC. Applications of Mouse Models to the Study of Food Allergy. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2223:1-17. [PMID: 33226583 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1001-5_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Mouse models of allergic disease offer numerous advantages when compared to the models of other animals. However, selection of appropriate mouse models is critical to advance the field of food allergy by revealing mechanisms of allergy and for testing novel therapeutic approaches. All current mouse models for food allergy have weaknesses that may limit their applicability to human disease. Aspects such as the genetic predisposition to allergy or tolerance from the strain of mouse used, allergen dose, route of exposure (oral, intranasal, intraperitoneal, or epicutaneous), damage of the epithelial barrier, use of adjuvants, food matrix effects, or composition of the microbiota should be considered prior to the selection of a specific murine model and contemplated according to the intended purpose of the study. This chapter reviews our current knowledge on the application of mouse models to food allergy research and the variables that may influence the successful development of each type of model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Benedé
- Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación (CIAL), CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain
- Jaffe Food Allergy Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - M Cecilia Berin
- Jaffe Food Allergy Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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Mast Cell Regulation and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Effects of Food Components with Potential Nutraceutical Use. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25184314. [PMID: 32962285 PMCID: PMC7570512 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25184314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mast cells are key actors in inflammatory reactions. Upon activation, they release histamine, heparin and nerve growth factor, among many other mediators that modulate immune response and neuron sensitization. One important feature of mast cells is that their population is usually increased in animal models and biopsies from patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Therefore, mast cells and mast cell mediators are regarded as key components in IBS pathophysiology. IBS is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder affecting the quality of life of up to 20% of the population worldwide. It is characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits, with heterogeneous phenotypes ranging from constipation to diarrhea, with a mixed subtype and even an unclassified form. Nutrient intake is one of the triggering factors of IBS. In this respect, certain components of the daily food, such as fatty acids, amino acids or plant-derived substances like flavonoids, have been described to modulate mast cells' activity. In this review, we will focus on the effect of these molecules, either stimulatory or inhibitory, on mast cell degranulation, looking for a nutraceutical capable of decreasing IBS symptoms.
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van Sadelhoff JHJ, Hogenkamp A, Wiertsema SP, Harthoorn LF, Loonstra R, Hartog A, Garssen J. A free amino acid-based diet partially prevents symptoms of cow's milk allergy in mice after oral sensitization with whey. Immun Inflamm Dis 2020; 8:93-105. [PMID: 32031763 PMCID: PMC7016843 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amino acid-based formulas (AAFs) are used for the dietary management of cow's milk allergy (CMA). Whether AAFs have the potential to prevent the development and/or symptoms of CMA is not known. OBJECTIVE The present study evaluated the preventive effects of an amino acid (AA)-based diet on allergic sensitization and symptoms of CMA in mice and aimed to provide insight into the underlying mechanism. METHODS C3H/HeOuJ mice were sensitized with whey protein or with phosphate-buffered saline as sham-sensitized control. Starting 2 weeks before sensitization, mice were fed with either a protein-based diet or an AA-based diet with an AA composition based on that of the AAF Neocate, a commercially available AAF prescribed for the dietary management of CMA. Upon challenge, allergic symptoms, mast cell degranulation, whey-specific immunoglobulin levels, and FoxP3+ cell counts in jejunum sections were assessed. RESULTS Compared to mice fed with the protein-based diet, AA-fed mice had significantly lower acute allergic skin responses. Moreover, the AA-based diet prevented the whey-induced symptoms of anaphylaxis and drop in body temperature. Whereas the AA-based diet had no effect on the levels of serum IgE and mucosal mast cell protease-1 (mMCP-1), AA-fed mice had significantly lower serum IgG2a levels and tended to have lower IgG1 levels (P = .076). In addition, the AA-based diet prevented the whey-induced decrease in FoxP3+ cells. In sham-sensitized mice, no differences between the two diets were observed in any of the tested parameters. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that an AA-based diet can at least partially prevent allergic symptoms of CMA in mice. Differences in FoxP3+ cell counts and serum levels of IgG2a and IgG1 may suggest enhanced anti-inflammatory and tolerizing capacities in AA-fed mice. This, combined with the absence of effects in sham-sensitized mice indicates that AAFs for the prevention of food allergies may be an interesting concept that warrants further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joris H. J. van Sadelhoff
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of ScienceUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Astrid Hogenkamp
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of ScienceUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Anita Hartog
- CeO ImmunologyDanone Nutricia ResearchUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Johan Garssen
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of ScienceUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
- CeO ImmunologyDanone Nutricia ResearchUtrechtThe Netherlands
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Mouse Models for Food Allergies: Where Do We Stand? Cells 2019; 8:cells8060546. [PMID: 31174293 PMCID: PMC6627293 DOI: 10.3390/cells8060546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Food allergies are a steadily increasing health and economic problem. Immunologically, food allergic reactions are caused by pathological, allergen-specific Th2 responses resulting in IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation and associated inflammatory reactions. Clinically, food allergies are characterized by local inflammation of the mouth mucosa, the face, the throat, the gastrointestinal tract, are frequently paralleled by skin reactions, and can result in life-threatening anaphylactic reactions. To better understand food allergies and establish novel treatment options, mouse models are indispensable. This review discusses the available mouse food allergy models, dividing them into four categories: (1) adjuvant-free mouse models, (2) mouse models relying on adjuvants to establish allergen-specific Th2 responses, (3) mouse models using genetically-modified mouse strains to allow for easier sensitization, and (4) humanized mouse models in which different immunodeficient mouse strains are reconstituted with human immune or stem cells to investigate humanized immune responses. While most of the available mouse models can reproducibly portray the immunological parameters of food allergy (Th2 immune responses, IgE production and mast cell activation/expansion), so far, the recreation of the clinical parameters has proven more difficult. Therefore, up to now none of the available mouse models can reproduce the complete human pathology.
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van Sadelhoff JHJ, Perez Pardo P, Wu J, Garssen J, van Bergenhenegouwen J, Hogenkamp A, Hartog A, Kraneveld AD. The Gut-Immune-Brain Axis in Autism Spectrum Disorders; A Focus on Amino Acids. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:247. [PMID: 31057483 PMCID: PMC6477881 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a range of neurodevelopmental conditions that affect communication and social behavior. Besides social deficits, systemic inflammation, gastrointestinal immune-related problems, and changes in the gut microbiota composition are characteristic for people with ASD. Animal models showed that these characteristics can induce ASD-associated behavior, suggesting an intimate relationship between the microbiota, gut, immune system and the brain in ASD. Multiple factors can contribute to the development of ASD, but mutations leading to enhanced activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) are reported frequently. Hyperactivation of mTOR leads to deficits in the communication between neurons in the brain and to immune impairments. Hence, mTOR might be a critical factor linking the gut-brain-immune axis in ASD. Pharmacological inhibition of mTOR is shown to improve ASD-associated behavior and immune functions, however, the clinical use is limited due to severe side reactions. Interestingly, studies have shown that mTOR activation can also be modified by nutritional stimuli, in particular by amino acids. Moreover, specific amino acids are demonstrated to inhibit inflammation, improve gut barrier function and to modify the microbiota composition. In this review we will discuss the gut-brain-immune axis in ASD and explore the potential of amino acids as a treatment option for ASD, either via modification of mTOR activity, the immune system or the gut microbiota composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joris H. J. van Sadelhoff
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Danone Nutricia Research, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Paula Perez Pardo
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jiangbo Wu
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, Department of Symptom Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Johan Garssen
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Danone Nutricia Research, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jeroen van Bergenhenegouwen
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Danone Nutricia Research, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Astrid Hogenkamp
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Anita Hartog
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Danone Nutricia Research, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Aletta D. Kraneveld
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Veterinary Pharmacology, Institute for Risk Assessment Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Aletta D. Kraneveld
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