Dietary nucleic acids promote a shift in Th1/Th2 balance toward Th1‐dominant immunity
- 1 July 2000
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Clinical and Experimental Allergy
- Vol. 30 (7) , 979-987
- https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2222.2000.00811.x
Abstract
Background: Dietary sources of nucleic acids and their relative components are known to affect host immune function; however, it has not yet been clarified whether such dietary nucleic acids influence the pathogenesis of allergic reaction.Objective: The purpose of this study is to elucidate the effect of dietary nucleic acids on Th1/Th2 balance.Methods: Both human flora‐associated and specific pathogen‐free BALB/c mice were maintained on either nucleic acid‐free, or ‐supplemented diets. The effects of nucleic acids on both in vivo antibody levels and in vitro splenocyte cytokine production were compared using these mice.Results: Supplementation of nucleic acids caused a reduction in the serum antibody levels of total IgM, IgG, IgG1, and IgE in the human flora‐associated mice without affecting the composition of intestinal flora. In contrast, there was no significant difference of the serum IgG2a levels between nucleic acid‐free and ‐supplemented mice. Such a phenomenon as that, the supplementation of dietary nucleic acids reduces the serum IgE or IgG1 levels, but not the IgG2a level, was also seen in the specific pathogen free mice. Moreover, when the mice were systematically challenged with ovalbumin, the supplementation of nucleic acids also suppressed the serum ovalbumin‐specific IgE and IgG1 antibody levels as well as in vitro IL‐4 and IL‐10 secretion, while enhancing both the serum ovalbumin‐specific IgG2a antibody levels and in vitro IFN γ secretion.Conclusion: These results suggested that dietary nucleic acids may play an important role in promoting a shift in Th1/Th2 balance toward Th1‐dominant immunity.Keywords
This publication has 36 references indexed in Scilit:
- The intestinal microflora in allergic Estonian and Swedish 2‐year‐old childrenClinical and Experimental Allergy, 1999
- Inhibition of the Accumulation of Uremic Toxins in the Blood and Their Precursors in the Feces after Oral Administration of Lebenin®, a Lactic Acid Bacteria Preparation, to Uremic Patients Undergoing HemodialysisNephron, 1996
- EXPANSION OF MEMORY TH2 CELLS OVER TH1 CELLS IN NEONATAL PRIMED MICETransplantation, 1995
- Analysis of target organs for the latency of murine cytomegalovirus DNA using specific pathogen free and germfree miceArchiv für die gesamte Virusforschung, 1995
- Immunoprophylaxis of atopy: light at the end of the tunnel?Immunology Today, 1994
- Aerosolized antigen exposure without adjuvant causes increased IgE production and increased airway responsiveness in the mouseJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 1992
- Influence of type of feeding on lymphocyte function and development of infantile allergyClinical and Experimental Allergy, 1982
- Elevated serum immunoglobulin E in T cell-deficient infants fed cow's milkJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 1980
- Serum IgE in infants and influence of type of feedingClinical and Experimental Allergy, 1980
- Bifidobacteria in the intestinal tract of infants: an in-vivo studyJournal of Medical Microbiology, 1976