Gastro-duodenal digestion products of the major peanut allergen Ara h 1 retain an allergenic potential

Summary Background The process of gastro‐duodenal digestion may play a role in determining the allergenic properties of food proteins. The sensitizing and allergenic potential of digestion products of highly degraded allergens, such as the major peanut allergen Ara h 1, is currently under debate. We evaluated the effect of in vitro gastro‐duodenal digestion of Ara h 1 on T cell reactivity and basophil histamine release. Methods An in vitro model of gastro‐duodenal digestion was used to investigate changes in the allergenic properties of Ara h 1 using in vitro assays monitoring T cell reactivity (proliferation, cytokine production) and histamine release of basophils from peanut allergic individuals. The digestion process was monitored using an SDS‐PAGE gel. Results In vitro gastric digestion led to rapid degradation of Ara h 1 into small fragments Mr L5600. Gastric digestion did not affect the ability of Ara h 1 to stimulate cellular proliferation. Gastro‐duodenal digestion significantly reduced its ability to stimulate clonal expansion (P