Thymic stromal lymphopoietin rather than IL-33 drives food allergy after epicutaneous sensitization to food allergen.

Background: A major route of sensitization to food allergen is through an impaired skin barrier. IL-33 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) have both been implicated in epicutaneous sensitization and food allergy, albeit in different murine models.

Objective: We assessed the respective contributions of TSLP and IL-33 to the development of atopic dermatitis (AD) and subsequent food allergy in TSLP and IL-33 receptor (ST2)-deficient mice using an AD model that does not require tape stripping.

Method: TSLP receptor (TSLPR), ST2, and BALB/cJ control mice were exposed to 3 weekly epicutaneous skin patches of one of saline, ovalbumin (OVA), or a combination of OVA and Aspergillus fumigatus (ASP), followed by repeated intragastric OVA challenges and development of food allergy.

Results: ASP and/or OVA patched, but not OVA-alone patched, BALB/cJ mice developed an AD-like skin phenotype. However, epicutaneous OVA sensitization occurred in OVA patched mice and was decreased in ST2 mice, resulting in lower intestinal mast cell degranulation and accumulation, as well as OVA-induced diarrhea occurrences on intragastric OVA challenges. In TSLPR mice, intestinal mast cell accumulation was abrogated, and no diarrhea was observed. AD was significantly milder in OVA + ASP patched TSLPR mice compared to wild type and ST2 mice. Accordingly, intestinal mast cell accumulation and degranulation were impaired in OVA + ASP patched TSLPR mice compared to wild type and ST2 mice, protecting TSLPR mice from developing allergic diarrhea.

Conclusion: Epicutaneous sensitization to food allergen and development of food allergy can occur without skin inflammation and is partly mediated by TSLP, suggesting that prophylactic targeting of TSLP may be useful in mitigating the development of AD and food allergy early in life in at-risk infants.