Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 13 1 2014 02 15 26 32 EN Cui-cui Duan Key Laboratory of Dairy Science, Ministry of Education, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China Ai-li Li Key Laboratory of Dairy Science, Ministry of Education, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China Li-jie Yang Key Laboratory of Dairy Science, Ministry of Education, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China Rui Zhao Key Laboratory of Dairy Science, Ministry of Education, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China Wen-guang Fan Key Laboratory of Dairy Science, Ministry of Education, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China Gui-cheng Huo Key Laboratory of Dairy Science, Ministry of Education, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China 2015 10 16 Cow’s milk allergy is one of the most common food allergies in childhood. Beta- lactoglobulin (β-  Lg) is  a dominant  allergen in  cow’s milk. Hydrolysis is  known as  an effective method to reduce the allergenicity of proteins. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare the allergenicity of β-Lg and its hydrolysates using an animal model. Twenty four BALB/c mice were divided into three groups and subcutaneously injected with native bovine β-Lg and its hydrolysates on days 0, 7 and 14. During the sensitization period, a number of systemic anaphylactic indicators were observed in mice sensitized by β- Lg compared to those sensitized by hydrolysates of β-Lg. Mice sensitized by hydrolysates of β-Lg showed a significantly lower spleen lymphocyte proliferation level than that sensitized by intact β-Lg. Antibody levels of β-Lg-specific IgE in serum induced by native β-Lg were significantly high. Plasma histamine levels were also evaluated  and  showed  the  same  trend  as  IgE.  Moreover,  the  hydrolysates  of  β-Lg significantly down-regulated IL-4 and IL-5 secretions in serum. These results suggested that enzymatic hydrolysis could reduce the allergenicity of β-Lg. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/480 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/480/357