Immune dampening effects of the vagus nerve in a model for food allergy

Background In our model of mild food allergy, allergen encounter typically leads to mast cell degranulation, influx of Th2 immune cells together with increased levels of antigen specific antibodies. This leads to bowel function changes resulting in diarrhoea. Vagal nerve stimulation has immune-suppressive effects on innate immune responses. Here we tested whether vagal tone modulates adaptive immune responses in food allergy by applying vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) or vagotomy.