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Galectin‐9 induced by dietary synbiotics is involved in suppression of allergic symptoms in mice and humans
Author(s) -
Kivit S.,
Saeland E.,
Kraneveld A. D.,
Kant H. J. G.,
Schouten B.,
Esch B. C. A. M.,
Knol J.,
Sprikkelman A. B.,
Aa L. B.,
Knippels L. M. J.,
Garssen J.,
Kooyk Y.,
Willemsen L. E. M.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2011.02771.x
Subject(s) - degranulation , immunology , mast cell , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , galectin , medicine , galectin 1 , allergy , fenretinide , milk allergy , chemistry , biology , food allergy , cell culture , in vitro , biochemistry , receptor , retinoid , retinoic acid , genetics
Background: Prebiotic galacto‐ and fructo‐oligosaccharides (sc GOS /lc FOS ) resembling non‐digestible oligosaccharides in human milk reduce the development of atopic disorders. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Galectins are soluble‐type lectins recognizing β‐galactoside containing glycans. Galectin‐9 has been shown to regulate mast cell degranulation and T ‐cell differentiation. In this study, the involvement of galectin‐9 as a mechanism by which sc GOS /lc FOS in combination with Bifidobacterium breve M ‐16 V protects against acute allergic symptoms was investigated. Methods: Mice were sensitized orally to whey, while being fed with a diet containing sc GOS /lc FOS and Bifidobacterium breve M ‐16 V ( GF / Bb ) or a control diet. Galectin‐9 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry in the intestine and measured in the serum by ELISA . T ‐cell differentiation was investigated in the mesenteric lymph nodes ( MLN ) as well as in galectin‐9‐exposed peripheral blood mononuclear cells ( PBMC ) cultures. Sera of the mice were evaluated for the capacity to suppress mast cell degranulation using a RBL ‐2 H 3 degranulation assay. In addition, in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled multicenter trial, galectin‐9 levels were measured in the sera of 90 infants with atopic dermatitis who received hydrolyzed formulae with or without GF / Bb . Results: Galectin‐9 expression by intestinal epithelial cells and serum galectin‐9 levels were increased in mice and humans following dietary intervention with GF / Bb and correlated with reduced acute allergic skin reaction and mast cell degranulation. In addition, GF / Bb enhanced T h 1‐ and T reg ‐cell differentiation in MLN and in PBMC cultures exposed to galectin‐9. Conclusions: Dietary supplementation with GF / Bb enhances serum galectin‐9 levels, which associates with the prevention of allergic symptoms.