Abstract
When an antigen is first presented via the gut, either priming or suppression of the systemic immune response (oral tolerance) can result. Aim of this study was to establish if wheat gliadin behaves as an oral immunogen or tolerogen.
BALB/c mice were reared on normal diet (with 0.3% gliadin) or gluten free diet (second or later generation). Antigen was fed either as normal diet or as pure gliadin weighed and presented in an agar pellet. The immune status (tolerant or sensitized) was then defined by the antibody and CMI response to parenteral immunization (ELISA and footpad swelling test).
Mice on a normal diet or fed this diet for a week before immunization showed a significantly (p<0.05) reduced humoral response to gliadin compared to mice reared on gluten free diet. CMI was reduced to a lesser extent (p<0.1). Mice fed pure gliadin (5, 25 or 125 mg) one week before immunization had suppression of both antibody (p<0.02) and CMI (p<0.05) at the higher dose. 25 mg feed suppressed only the humoral response.
These results indicate that wheat gliadin can act as an effective oral tolerogen; however the type of immune response is influenced both by the amount and the form in which the antigen is presented to the gut.
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Troncone, R., Ferguson, A. 36. IMMUNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF GLIADIN PRESENTED VIA THE GUT. Pediatr Res 22, 102 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198707000-00057
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198707000-00057