Probiotics Attenuate Food Allergy via Short-Chain Fatty Acids-Mediated Immune Modulation and Gut Barrier Restoration.

2025-11-18
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) 14(22)
- Xue Feng
- Liuying Li
- Li Yan
- Zhencong Yan
- Zhoujin Xu
- Yuting Fan
- Philippe Madjirebaye
- Xuli Wu

PubMed: 41300111
DOI: 10.3390/foods14223953

Study Design

Population: a murine model
Methods: Probiotic administration with three probiotic strains, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HN001 (HN001), Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 (HN019), and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM (NCFM)

The rising global prevalence of food allergy (FA) necessitates innovative therapeutic strategies. This study investigates the protective effects of three probiotic strains, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HN001 (HN001), Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 (HN019), and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM (NCFM) against FA in a murine model. Probiotic administration significantly alleviated allergic symptoms and suppressed the Th2 response, reducing IgE, histamine, and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-2/5), while concurrently enhancing CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell (Treg) activity and TGF-β1 expression. Treatment also restored intestinal integrity by upregulating tight junction proteins (ZO-1, claudin-1). 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that protection was underpinned by microbiota remodeling, marked by increased α-diversity and enrichment of SCFA-producing taxa (Lachnospiraceae and Muribaculaceae), which correlated with elevated acetate, butyrate, and propionate levels. Spearman analysis linked these microbial shifts to improved immune and barrier markers. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that probiotics mitigate FA through a convergent mechanism of immune rebalancing, barrier reinforcement, and SCFA-mediated microbiota-immune crosstalk, offering a promising microbiome-targeted therapy.

Research Insights

Bifidobacterium lactis HN019→Improved Intestinal Barrier Function
Treatment also restored intestinal integrity by upregulating tight junction proteins (ZO-1, claudin-1).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Bifidobacterium lactis HN019→Increased Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production
Protection was underpinned by microbiota remodeling, marked by increased α-diversity and enrichment of SCFA-producing taxa (Lachnospiraceae and Muribaculaceae), which correlated with elevated acetate, butyrate, and propionate levels.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Bifidobacterium lactis HN019→Reduced Food Allergy Symptoms
Probiotic administration significantly alleviated allergic symptoms and suppressed the Th2 response, reducing IgE, histamine, and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-2/5), while concurrently enhancing CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell (Treg) activity and TGF-β1 expression.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001→Improved Gut Barrier Function
Treatment also restored intestinal integrity by upregulating tight junction proteins (ZO-1, claudin-1).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001→Increased Activation of Regulatory T Cells
concurrently enhancing CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell (Treg) activity and TGF-β1 expression.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001→Increased Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production
Protection was underpinned by microbiota remodeling, marked by increased α-diversity and enrichment of SCFA-producing taxa (Lachnospiraceae and Muribaculaceae), which correlated with elevated acetate, butyrate, and propionate levels.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001→Reduced Food Allergy Symptoms
Probiotic administration significantly alleviated allergic symptoms and suppressed the Th2 response, reducing IgE, histamine, and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-2/5), while concurrently enhancing CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell (Treg) activity and TGF-β1 expression.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate