Although tropomyosin has been identified as a major allergen
in
Antarctic krill, the digestive fate of Antarctic krill tropomyosin
and its relationship with allergenicity are unknown. In this study,
Antarctic krill tropomyosin was administered to BALB/c mice via both gavage and intraperitoneal injection to explore
its sensitizing and eliciting capacity, and its digestion products
were analyzed for structural changes and digestion-resistant linear
epitopes. Mice gavaged with tropomyosin exhibited lower levels of
specific IgE and IgG1, mast cell degranulation, vascular
permeability, and anaphylaxis symptoms than those in the intraperitoneal
injection group. This may be due to the destruction of macromolecular
aggregates, loose expansion of the tertiary structure, complete disappearance
of α-helix, and significant changes in molecular force upon
the digestion of tropomyosin. Nevertheless, the intragastric administration
of Antarctic krill tropomyosin still triggered strong allergic reactions,
which was attributed to the existence of seven digestion-resistant
linear epitopes (Glu26–His44, Thr111–Arg125, Glu157–Glu164,
Glu177–Gly186, Val209–Ile225, Arg244–Arg255,
and Val261–Ile270).