BALB/c mice can be used to evaluate allergenicity of different food protein extracts

The present study sought to verify BALB/c mice as a useful allergy model and to then investigate allergenicities of different foods. Using the same regimens as preliminary study, mice were exposed to peanut protein extract (PPE), de-fatted cow milk extract, or potato protein extract. Allergen-specific IgG1 and IgE, histamine in blood, mast cell, sub-population profiles and cytokine in spleen and other tissues, and cytokine formation were analyzed. The results showed that serum levels of histamine and antigen-specific IgE were greatest (vs. control) among mice that received PPE. These mice also had the greatest presence of mast cells, TH2 cells, but lowest Treg cells. Ratios of allergen-specific IgE/IgG4 in the sera of PPE-allergic patients were higher than that in milk-allergic patients, which was performed to explain these outcomes. All of the above results confirmed that BALB/c mice is a suitable model to evaluate allergenicity of different food.