Prior oral exposure to partially hydrolyzed whey protein prevents epicutaneous sensitization and subsequent allergic response to β-LG in mice.

It is important to provide formula-fed infants with a bifidobacteria-enriched gut microbiota similar to those of breastfed infants to ensure intestinal health. Prebiotics, such as certain oligosaccharides, are a useful solution to this problem, but the combinational benefits of these oligosaccharides have not been evaluated. This study investigated the benefits of oligosaccharide combinations and screened for an optimal combination of oligosaccharides to promote healthy gut microbiota of formula-fed infants. In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to assess the bifidogenic effects of lactulose (LAC) alone and LAC combined with raffinose (RAF) and/or galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS), using a mixed culture model and neonatal mice orally administered with these oligosaccharides and Bifidobacterium breve. In the in vitro culture model, the combination of the three oligosaccharides (LAC-RAF-GOS) significantly increased cell numbers of B. breve and Bifidobacterium longum (P < 0·05) compared with either LAC alone or the combination of two oligosaccharides, and resulted in the production of SCFA under anaerobic conditions. In the in vivo experiment, the LAC-RAF-GOS combination significantly increased cell numbers of B. breve and Bacteroidetes in the large intestinal content (P < 0·05) and increased acetate concentrations in the caecal content and serum of neonatal mice. Genes related to metabolism and immune responses were differentially expressed in the liver and large intestine of mice administered with LAC-RAF-GOS. These results indicate a synergistic effect of the LAC-RAF-GOS combination on the growth of bifidobacteria and reveal possible benefits of this combination to the gut microbiota and health of infants.

No abstract

No abstract

IgE-mediated mast cell activation is the trigger of anaphylaxis in humans, whereas it is known that not only IgE but also IgG can induce anaphylaxis in mice. In our preliminary experiments, the expression of a murine basophil identification marker, CD200R3, on antigen-sensitized basophils decreased following specific antigen challenge. Interestingly, this decrease did not always correspond with increased expression of the IgE-mediated basophil activation marker CD200R1. Since IgG as well as IgE plays a role in mouse anaphylaxis, we hypothesized that the observed decrease in CD200R3 on basophils was caused by IgG-mediated cell activation. We attempted to establish whether CD200R3 is a marker of IgG-mediated basophil activation and if its expression is correlated with anaphylaxis in a mouse model. Mouse basophils were stimulated via Fc∊Rs and/or FcγRs, and levels of CD200R1 and CD200R3 were analyzed by flow cytometry. Basophils derived from naive mice were challenged with a natural antigen, β-lactoglobulin, after passive sensitization with anti-β-LG serum or IgG/IgG subclass-depleted antiserum. Systemic anaphylaxis was induced by i.v. injection of anti-FcγRIII/II monoclonal antibody, and CD200R3 expression on peripheral basophils was assessed. Stimulation via Fc∊Rs induced a significant increase in CD200R1 expression but had only a small effect on that of CD200R3. However, anti-FcγRIII/II stimulation reduced CD200R3 expression markedly. In passive sensitization experiments, down-regulation of CD200R3 induced by antigen challenge was strongly negated by the depletion of IgG or IgG1 from antiserum. Intravenous injection of anti-FcγRIII/II induced CD200R3 down-regulation on peripheral basophils, together with a drop in rectal temperature. Lowered CD200R3 expression on basophils is induced by IgG-mediated stimulation via FcγRs. Use of CD200R1 and CD200R3 as activation markers enables the evaluation of murine basophil activation mediated by IgE and IgG, respectively.

Aids to the examination of the peripheral nervous system. London: Bailliere Tindall (on behalf of the Guarantors of Brain), 1986.

No abstract

No abstract