The role of IL-10 in preventing food-induced anaphylaxis

BACKGROUND: Food allergy is a common condition resulting in a much impaired quality of life. So far, no clearly effective preventive and therapeutic strategies have been established. However, several options have been tested with promising results. OBJECTIVE: This review examines the potential of various strategies involving an IL-10-mediated effect for tolerance induction to food antigens, mostly for preventing food allergy. METHODS: In addition to a review of the literature, we describe and comment on experiments involving a Lactoccocus lactis strain transfected to secrete murine IL-10 directly into the gut. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: This strain was efficient at preventing subsequent sensitization with a common food allergen. There appears to be a potential for such strategies for the prevention of human food allergy but further investigations will be needed to explore them.