Towards an in vitro assessment of food allergenicity using an innovative human microfluidic model

       Context

The prevalence of food allergies has been rising steadily for several decades. This trend is taking place against a backdrop of profound changes in our diet, characterised in particular by the rise of ultra-processed foods, exposure to new contaminants and the emergence of new sources of protein – notably plant-based ones – designed to address the challenges of the ecological transition. Food allergies therefore represent a major public health issue and raise new questions regarding the effects of changes in our diet on human health. In this context, it is necessary not only to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the development and triggering of food allergies, but also to improve our ability to predict the allergenic potential of new foods and ingredients. However, the tools currently available to study these phenomena remain limited. Research still relies heavily on animal models or simplified cellular systems, which do not accurately replicate the complexity and specific characteristics of the human response. It is therefore necessary to develop the experimental models used to study food allergy, in order to have systems that are more representative of human physiology and that allow for a more detailed study of the mechanisms involved.

        Objectives

The project aims to develop an innovative experimental model, based entirely on human cells, for the study of food allergy. To this end, our model will utilise a microfluidic chip system, on which human cells will be cultured. This dynamic culture system will enable us to replicate the fluid flow and mechanical stresses to which the intestine is subjected, thereby improving the model’s functionality and physiological relevance. The human cells will be derived from intestinal biopsies (organoid model) for the epithelium, and from blood for the immune cells.

This system will thus enable the reproduction of the cellular components involved in the allergic response and the dynamics of their interactions, in order to study the early stages of the allergic response, from the absorption of allergens through the intestinal barrier to the initial interactions with immune cells.

The scientific objectives are to:

• To develop a flow-through model of the human intestinal barrier that replicates the key physiological characteristics of the intestinal epithelium;
• To incorporate a functional immune compartment comprising human dendritic cells;
• To assess the model’s relevance by studying its response to known food allergens.

In the long term, this platform could be enhanced by the inclusion of other key components of the immune response, such as T cells, mast cells and basophils, with a view to developing a predictive tool for assessing the allergenic potential of food proteins, either to complement or replace existing in vivo models.

The ALL team will be responsible for this project, from model design to the analysis of biological responses using immunoassays, flow cytometry and immunohistochemical staining.

       Synopsis

• Project dates : 01/10/2026 - 30/09/2028
• Coordination : Simon Vales, BIA
• Partners : INRAE, INSERM
• BIA teams : Allergie
• Funding : Pulsar région

Contact :  Simon Valès : simon.vales@inrae.fr