Inhibition of Pathologic Immunoglobulin E In Food Allergy by EBF2 and Active Compound Berberine Associated with Immunometabolism Regulation

Authors

Anish R. Maskey
Nan Yang, New York Medical College
Monica Kim
Kamal Srivastava, New York Medical CollegeFollow
Z X. Wang
Yanmei Shi
Yixuan Gong
Julie Wang
David Dunkin
Danna Chung
J X. Zhan
Mingsan Miao
Hugh Sampson
Xiu-Min Li, New York Medical CollegeFollow

Author Type(s)

Faculty

Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

2-2023

Journal Title

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Department

Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology

Abstract

Rationale

Food allergy is a significant public health problem with limited treatment options. As Food Allergy Herbal Formula 2 (FAHF-2) showed potential for a food allergy treatment, we further developed a purified version named EBF2 and identified active compounds. We investigated the mechanisms of EBF2 on IgE-mediated peanut (PN) allergy and its active compound, berberine, on IgE production.

Methods

IgE plasma cell line U266 cells were cultured with FAHF-2 and EBF2, and their effects on IgE production were compared. EBF2 was evaluated in a murine PN allergy model for its effect on PN-specific IgE production, number of IgE+ plasma cells, and PN anaphylaxis. Effects of berberine on IgE production, the expression of transcription factors, and mitochondrial glucose metabolism in U266 cells were evaluated.

Results

EBF2 dose-dependently suppressed IgE production and was over 16 times more potent than FAHF-2 in IgE suppression in U266 cells. EBF2 significantly suppressed PN-specific IgE production (70%, p<0.001) and the number of IgE-producing plasma cells in PN allergic mice, accompanied by 100% inhibition of PN-induced anaphylaxis and plasma histamine release (p<0.001) without affecting IgG1 or IgG2a production. Berberine markedly suppressed IgE production, which was associated with suppression of XBP1, BLIMP1, and STAT6 transcription factors and a reduced rate of mitochondrial oxidation in an IgE-producing plasma cell line.

Conclusions

EBF2 and its active compound berberine are potent IgE suppressors, associated with cellular regulation of immunometabolism on IgE plasma cells, and may be a potential therapy for IgE-mediated food allergy and other allergic disorders.

Recommended Citation

Maskey, A. R., Yang, N., Kim, M., Srivastava, K., Wang, Z. X., Shi, Y., Gong, Y., Wang, J., Dunkin, D., Chung, D., Zhan, J. X., Miao, M., Sampson, H., & Li, X. (2023). Inhibition of Pathologic Immunoglobulin E In Food Allergy by EBF2 and Active Compound Berberine Associated with Immunometabolism Regulation. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 151 (2 Suppl.), AB228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2022.12.708