Memory T Cell Proliferation in Cow’s Milk Allergy after CD25+ Regulatory T Cell Removal Suggests a Role for Casein-Specific Cellular Immunity in IgE-Mediated but Not in Non-IgE-Mediated Cow’s Milk Allergy

Abstract

Proliferative responses to alpha-, beta- and kappa-caseins (but not beta-lactoglobulin) were observed in clinically reactive IgE-mediated CMA patients only. A markedly decreased proliferative response to kappa-casein in tolerised IgE-mediated CMA patients with atopic dermatitis, which was abrogated by Treg depletion, suggested a role for kappa-casein in tolerance induction. Non-IgE-mediated CMA patients had no increased proliferative response to any milk proteins.