Sensitization to a purified cow’s milk (CM) allergen facilitates further oral sensitization to other CM proteins in mice

Methods BALB/cJ mice were experimentally sensitized by intragastric (i.g.) administration of highly purified BLG mixed with Cholera toxin (CT, 10μg) on days 1, 8, 15, 22, 26 and 33 (n=7/group). Control mice received CT alone (n=7) and 10 mice were left untreated (naïve mice). Allergic sensitization to BLG was confirmed by assaying BLG-specific IgE and IgG1 in sera collected on day 37. Mice administered CT +/BLG and 5 naive mice were then gavaged on days 39, 40 and 43 to 46 with 200μl of raw CM, naturally containing 3 mg/ml of BLG, without any adjuvant. Antibodies specific to the different CM proteins were then assessed by immunoassays in sera collected on day 54.