TIM-4 Expressed by Mucosal Dendritic Cells Plays a Critical Role in Food Antigen–Specific Th2 Differentiation and Intestinal Allergy

Abstract

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Food allergy accounts for significant morbidity. The etiology and immune mechanisms of food allergy, however, have remained poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to determine the role of T-cell immunoglobulin-domain and mucin-domain (TIM)-4, a recently identified member of cell surface molecules, in the pathogenesis of intestinal allergy in a murine model. METHODS: We report that TIM-4 as well as costimulatory molecules …