A swine model of soy protein-induced food allergenicity: Implications in human and swine nutrition

Implications • Basic digestive processes result in the breakdown of most foodborne antigens; however, a small proportion of food-derived antigens cross the intestinal barrier leading to a brief period of hypersensitivity that is usually followed by the development of oral tolerance. • A shift from oral tolerance to sensitization marks the potential for clinical allergy development. • The anatomical, physiological, histological, genomic homology, and immunological similarity between pigs and humans make pigs a better model than traditional rodent species to study food allergies and intervention strategies. • A subset of pigs naturally develop soy allergies making them an ideal model for soy allergies.