Pathophysiological Roles of Neuro-Immune Interactions between Enteric Neurons and Mucosal Mast Cells in the Gut of Food Allergy Mice.

Recently, the involvement of the nervous system in the pathology of allergic diseases has attracted increasing interest. However, the precise pathophysiological role of enteric neurons in food allergies has not been elucidated. We report the presence of functional high-affinity IgE receptors (FcεRIs) in enteric neurons.

CGRP, a neurotransmitter of enteric sensory neurons, contributes to the development of food allergy due to the augmentation of microtubule reorganization in mucosal mast cells.

Neuro-immune interaction in the gut is substantially involved in the maintenance of intestinal immune homeostasis and the pathology of intestinal immune diseases. We have previously demonstrated that mucosal mast cells and nerve fibers containing CGRP, a neurotransmitter of intrinsic enteric sensory neurons, are markedly increased and exist in close proximity to each other in the colon of food allergy (FA) mice. In the present study, a CGRP-receptor antagonist BIBN4096BS significantly alleviated allergic symptoms in the murine FA model.

Effect of Pakistani medicinal plants on IgE/antigen- and ionophore-induced mucosal mast cells degranulation.

Cumulative evidence has now demonstrated the stimulation of mucosal mast cells by both allergic and non-allergic triggers and their inhibition as a potential therapeutic target in many diseases like food allergy and ulcerative colitis. Hence, we screened medicinal plants from Pakistan against antigen- and ionophore-induced degranulation of mucosal mast cells. Aqueous ethanol extracts were screened.