The Desensitization Effects of Shrimp Allergen Extract on GATA-3, RORα, TLR4, IL-13, IL-5 Expression in a Food Allergy in Mice

Food allergies are a growing global problem, particularly shrimp allergy. Immunotherapy, especially shrimp allergenic extract (SAE), has emerged as a promising treatment, but its mechanistic details remain incompletely. This study aimed to evaluate SAE immunotherapy’s ability to induce immunological tolerance in a mouse model of shrimp allergy, focusing on key immune markers like GATA-3, RORα, TLR4, IL-13, and IL-5. Immunotherapy assessment used 30 mice in five groups (n=6): one untreated control (alum+PBS i.p.) and four experimental groups. Experimental mice were sensitized with alum (1 mg) + SAE (100 μg) i.p. on days 0, 7, 14, then assigned to negative control (NC) or three immunotherapy doses: high (HI-100 μg), medium (MI-50 μg), or low (LI-10 μg). All groups received intragastric SAE challenges (400 μg) days 21, 23, 25, 53, 58. Immunotherapy groups received additional i.p. treatments on days 32, 39, 46, while controls received PBS. Mice were euthanized on day 59, and RT-qPCR analysis of ileal tissue measured GATA-3, RORα, TLR4, IL-13, and IL-5 expression; data analyzed by one-way ANOVA (p≤0.05). SAE administration significantly reduced the expression of GATA-3, RORα, TLR4, IL-13, and IL-5 in a dose-dependent manner in ileum tissue, particularly with the high-dose SAE group showing the most significant effects. Thus, SAE has a potent effect on Th2 cell differentiation and modulates the immune responses involved in allergic inflammation. In conclusion, SAE induces immunological tolerance by dose-dependently suppressing key immune markers, showing promise as a therapeutic for food allergies. Further studies are needed to validate its safety and efficacy.