Annual Report 2006

Next, we examined the effect of transgenic
rice seeds on allergic immune responses. Mice
were orally fed with rice seeds, and then
systemically challenged with pollen
allergens (Fig. 2). Compared to the control
group of mice, the development of allergenspecific
IgE and CD4 + T cell proliferative
responses was inhibited in the group of mice
fed with transgenic seeds (Fig. 3). The levels of
allergy-associated cytokine production of IL-4,
IL-5, IL-13, and histamine release in serum
were also significantly suppressed. In
addition, the development of pollen-induced
clinical symptoms was inhibited in our
experimental sneezing mouse model (Fig. 4).
These results provide a positive first step
toward developing rice seed-based edible
vaccines for the prevention and treatment of
allergic diseases.
Fig. 2
Experimental schedule
Fig. 3
Allergen-specific IgE
Fig. 4
Sneezing