Grantee Research Project Results

2011 Progress Report: Predicting Food Protein Allergenicity Using a Mouse Model

EPA Grant Number: R834822
Title: Predicting Food Protein Allergenicity Using a Mouse Model
Investigators: Gangur, Venugopal
Institution: Michigan State University
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: September 15, 2010 through September 14, 2014
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 15, 2010 through September 14,2011
Project Amount: $424,919
RFA: Approaches to Assessing Potential Food Allergy from Genetically Engineered Plants (2009) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Human Health

Objective:

(1) Determine the NOAEL and the LOAEL of plant-derived food proteins with high vs. low/no allergenic potential in a mouse model.

(2) Determine the immune, clinical and physiological responses to isolated pure food proteins with high vs. low/no allergenic potential in this model.

Progress Summary:

(1) Establishment of the oral elicitation dose-response curves for hazelnut protein in our mouse model using three different sensitization protocols;

(2) Determination of the effect of boiling on oral elicitation dose-response curves for hazelnut;

(3) Demonstration that measurement of MMCP1 in plasma serves as a quantifiable bio-maker of oral reactions in this model;

(4) Development of a novel infrared transdermal scanning thermometry as a useful non-invasive method to quantify oral reactions in this model; and

(5) Optimization of a method to prepare pigeon pea protein extract for use in the project.

Future Activities:

We plan to:

(1) further obtain data on the oral elicitation dose response curves for hazelnut to determine NOAEL and LOAEL;

(2) evaluate the utility of MMCP1 and TST method in NOAEL and LOAEL determination;

(3) determine the NOAEL and LOAEL for other food proteins; and

(4) submit two manuscripts for publication and present an abstract during the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) 2012 annual meeting.

Journal Articles:

No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 19 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

food allergy, food safety, allergen, systemic anaphylaxis, exposure, hazard assessment, mouse model, threshold elicitation dose, NOAEL, LOAEL, potency testing, dose-response, genetic engineering, allergenicity.

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.