Ovalbumin-induced food allergy suppression via regulatory T cell expansion mediated by a TNFR2 agonist in mice

Abstract

Food allergies represent a growing health concern worldwide, characterized by abnormal immune responses to specific dietary antigens. This condition is often associated with a dysregulation of immune tolerance, especially within the intestinal mucosa. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), a crucial subset of lymphocytes, play a central role in maintaining peripheral immune tolerance and are abundant in the intestinal lamina propria. Recent studies have highlighted Treg dysfunction in patients with food allergies, suggesting a potential connection between impaired Treg function and allergy onset. Therefore, strategies to adequately control and activate Tregs could offer new avenues for the prevention and treatment of food allergies. Our research focuses on targeting the regulatory molecule, tumor necrosis factor receptor type 2 (TNFR2), a key modulator of Treg function. We have developed a TNFR2 agonist, scR2agoTNF-Fc, characterized by high TNFR2-stimulating activity and enhanced blood retention in vivo for Treg expansion. In this study, we utilized an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced food allergy mouse model to verify the therapeutic potential of scR2agoTNF-Fc in modulating allergic responses and restoring immune balance. The results showed that scR2agoTNF-Fc promoted the expansion of Treg population in vivo in mice. In addition, scR2agoTNF-Fc reduced diarrhea caused by the food allergy. This was consistent with the molecular mechanisms of suppression of blood immunoglobulins and Th2 cells. Therefore, it was shown that quantitative and functional enhancement of Tregs by the TNFR2 agonist, scR2agoTNF-Fc, may be effective in treating food allergies.