Ovalbumin modified by gamma irradiation alters its immunological functions and allergic responses

It is well known that gamma (γ)-ray irradiation results in the alteration of biological function of bioactive materials such as proteins, saccharides and lipids. In this study the effect of γ-irradiation on the chemical and immunological property of an allergen, ovalbumin (OVA), was investigated. Irradiation of more than 10 kGy resulted in the alteration of the structure of OVA. However, OVA treated with 10 kGy irradiation (10 kGy-OVA), but not 100 kGy-OVA, fully maintained immunological reactivity to a monoclonal antibody specific to the intact allergen (clone 14). Mice immunized with 10 kGy- as well as 100 kGy-OVA showed significantly lower antibody response to the allergen than those with intact OVA in a γ-ray dosage-dependent manner. Especially immunization of both 10 kGy- and 100 kGy-OVA induced a significant decrease of OVA-specific IgE. Splenocytes of mice immunized with irradiated OVA showed a significant reduction in OVA-specific T cell proliferation and the secretion of Th1-type (IFN-γ and IL-2) and Th2-type cytokines (IL-4 and IL-6). The expression of T cell activation markers such as CD25 and CD44 was also down-regulated in T cells of mice immunized with irradiated OVAs. These results suggest that γ-ray irradiation of OVA suppress humoral and cellular immune responses specific to the allergen OVA, and the modification method with γ-irradiation may be available for the control of allergy.