Abstract # 3086 Oral sensitization to a milk allergen triggers behavioral changes and neuroinflammatory responses in male C57BL/6 mice

Consumption of a certain food item, such as cow’s milk or wheat gluten, is reportedly associated with behavioral changes in susceptible individuals and thought to exacerbate the symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, ADHD and autism. However, causative evidence is limited and the mechanism is unknown. Because food hypersensitivities do not always manifest as anaphylaxis or other obvious reactions, suspected food-induced behavioral changes may be non-anaphylactic symptoms involving the central nervous system. To determine whether a common food allergen would indeed cause behavioral changes without severe reactions, a mouse model of milk allergy was developed and peripheral and central immune responses were investigated. Four-week-old male and female C57BL/6 mice were given β -lactoglobulin (BLG), a major cow’s milk allergen, in the presence of an adjuvant or the adjuvant alone via weekly oral gavage for 5 weeks. All animals were challenged with BLG during the 6th and 7th weeks and their behavior was assessed. BLG-sensitized males, but not females, exhibited increased grooming and anxiety-like behavior compared to sex-matched adjuvant-only mice. Associated with the behavioral phenotype, BLG-specific IgE in serum and proinflammatory cytokines in the ileum and brain were elevated in male BLG-sensitized mice. These results provide evidence that a food allergen-induced inflammatory response in the gut may communicate with the brain and affect behavior without a severe allergic reaction.