Fig. 1

Experimental set-up of PNA and CMA model. Mice were sensitized i.g. to whey, PE or PBS alone in combination with CT (day 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 for CMA and day 0, 1, 2, 7, 14, 21 and 28 for PNA). From day 42, the mice were treated orally for 5 times/week or subcutaneously for 3 times/week with allergen or PBS alone, for three consecutive weeks (day 42–60). On day 65, all mice were challenged i.d. to determine the acute allergic skin response, anaphylactic shock symptom scores and body temperature levels. On day 70 and 84, i.g. challenges were performed to measure mucosal mast cell degranulation. After i.p. challenges on day 77 and 91, anaphylactic shock symptom scores and body temperature levels were measured. At day 92, the mice were killed with cervical dislocation and blood and organs were collected. PE peanut extract, CT cholera toxin, SCIT subcutaneous immunotherapy, OIT oral immunotherapy, i.d. intradermal, i.g. intragastric, i.p. intraperitoneal