Transcriptional profiling of dendritic cells in a mouse model of food-antigen induced anaphylaxis reveals the upregulation of multiple immune-related pathways.

Scope Much of the knowledge about gene expression during anaphylaxis comes from candidate gene studies. Despite their potential role, expression changes in dendritic cells (DCs) have not been studied in this context using high throughput methods. The molecular mechanisms underlying food-antigen-induced anaphylaxis are investigated using DCs from an animal model. Methods and results RNA sequencing is used to study gene expression in lymph-node-derived DCs from anaphylactic mice sensitized intranasally with the major peach allergen Pru p 3 during the acute reaction phase, induced intraperitoneally. In total, 237 genes changed significantly, 181 showing at least twofold changes. Almost three-quarters of these increase during anaphylaxis. A subset is confirmed using RT-PCR in a second set of samples obtained from a new batch of mice. Enrichment analysis shows an overrepresentation of genes involved in key immune system and inflammatory processes, including TGF-beta signaling. Comparison with a study using anaphylactic human subjects show significant overlap. Conclusions The findings provide a comprehensive overview of the transcriptional changes occurring in DCs during anaphylaxis and help elucidate the mechanisms involved. They add further weight to the putative role of these cells in anaphylaxis and highlight genes that may represent potential therapeutic targets.