The Th17/Treg imbalance in bovine β-lactoglobulin-sensitised mice

This study investigated whether the Th17/Treg balance was impaired in mice with β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) allergies. BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally sensitised with β-Lg. The Th17/Treg ratios of allergic mice and healthy controls were calculated, and their correlation with specific transcription factors and cytokines were analysed. The results indicated that sensitisation with β-Lg led to the development of an allergic response, characterised by inflammatory cell infiltration in the intestine and high levels of IgE in the serum. The frequencies of Th17 cells, Th17-related cytokines and RORγt expression were increased, whereas the frequencies of Treg cells, plasma TGF-β level and Foxp3 expression were decreased in β-Lg-sensitised mice. In addition, the Th17/Treg ratios were positively correlated with the serum concentrations of Th2- and Th17-related cytokines. These results suggest that a Th17/Treg imbalance in combination with an increase in the Th2 cell response may be responsible for the development and progression of β-Lg allergy.