Combination of\nStructural Analysis and Proteomics\nStrategy Revealed the Mechanism of Ultrasound-Assisted Cold Plasma\nRegulating Shrimp Allergy

Allergic incidents of crustacean aquatic products occur\nfrequently,\nand tropomyosin (TM) is the main allergen. Therefore, it is worthwhile\nto develop technologies to efficiently reduce the allergenicity of\nTM. In this study, ultrasound-assisted cold plasma (UCP) treatment\nwas used to regulate shrimp allergy. The remarkable changes in TM\nstructure were substantiated by alteration in secondary structure,\nreduction in sulfhydryl content, change in surface hydrophobicity,\nand disparity in surface morphology. The IgE and IgG binding ability\nof TM significantly decreased by 52.40% and 46.51% due to UCP treatment.\nIn the Balb/c mouse model, mice in the UCP group showed most prominent\nmitigation of allergic symptoms, proved by lower allergy score, changes\nin levels of TM-specific antibodies, and restoration of Th1/Th2 cytokine\nimbalance. Using a proteomics approach, 439 differentially expressed\nproteins (DEPs) in the TM group (vs phosphate-buffered saline group)\nand 170 DEPs in the UCP group (vs TM group) were determined. Subsequent\nanalysis demonstrated that Col6a5, Col6a6, and Epx were potential\nbiomarkers of TM allergy. Moreover, Col6a5, Col6a6, Dcn, and Kng1\nmight be the target proteins of UCP treatment, while PI3K/Akt/mTOR\nmight be the regulated signaling pathway. These findings proved that\nUCP treatment has great potential in reducing TM allergenicity and\nprovide new insights into the development of hypoallergenic shrimp\nproducts.