Scientific Study

BACKGROUND: Food allergy is a serious and sometimes fatal condition for which there is no cure. We previously reported that Food Allergy Herbal Formula (FAHF)-2) protected peanut-allergic mice against anaphylactic reactions as long as 4 weeks posttherapy. This formula is now in clinical trials in the United States. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether FAHF-2-mediated protection could be extended long-term and explored the mechanisms underlying its persistent immunomodulatory effects. METHODS: Peanut-allergic mice received FAHF-2 daily orally by gavage for 7 weeks; and then received 7 oral peanut challenges at intervals of 4 to 10 weeks over a period of 36 weeks. For mechanistic studies; some mice received CD4(+) or CD8(+) T-cell-depleting antibodies or IFN-gamma-neutralizing antibodies. Anaphylactic symptoms; body temperatures; and plasma histamine levels were recorded after each challenge; and peanut-specific immunoglobulin levels and cytokine profiles of splenocytes; mesenteric lymph node cells; and purified CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells were determined. RESULTS: Food Allergy Herbal Formula-2 treatment protected mice from anaphylaxis for more than 36 weeks after discontinuing treatment. Peanut-specific IgE levels were reduced as much as 50%; whereas IgG(2a) levels were increased as much as 60%; and these effects persisted over time. T(H)2 cytokine production by CD4(+) T cells from FAHF-2-treated mice was reduced as much as 75%; whereas CD8(+) T-cell IFN-gamma production was markedly increased by as much as 85% at the final challenge. Neutralization of INF-gamma and depletion of CD8(+) T cells markedly attenuated FAHF-2 efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Food Allergy Herbal Formula-2 provides long-term protection from anaphylaxis by inducing a beneficial shift in allergen-specific immune responses mediated largely by elevated CD8(+) T-cell IFN-gamma production.