Desensitizing mechanism of LBGP70 on peanut allergy: Competitive inhibition and allosteric regulation of DC-SIGN on dendritic cells

Ziqian Su; Aiqin Gu; Zejun Zhao; Wei Cao; Ni Cheng; Huxue Deng; Jinyang Huang; Yang Tian

doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2026.149660

Desensitizing mechanism of LBGP70 on peanut allergy: Competitive inhibition and allosteric regulation of DC-SIGN on dendritic cells

Food Chem. 2026 Aug 1:519:149660. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2026.149660. Epub 2026 May 16.

Authors

Ziqian Su¹, Aiqin Gu², Zejun Zhao¹, Wei Cao¹, Ni Cheng¹, Huxue Deng¹, Jinyang Huang¹, Yang Tian³

Affiliations

¹ College of Food Science and Technology, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China.
² Biomedical Innovation Center, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100038, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Beijing 100038, China.
³ College of Food Science and Technology, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China. Electronic address: Tiany1030@nwu.edu.cn.

PMID: 42155264
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2026.149660

Abstract

Food allergy represents a significant global public health issue, closely associated with the allergen presentation process mediated by dendritic cells (DCs). Polysaccharides extracted from Lycium barbarum (LBPs) can engage DC receptors, but their anti-allergic efficacy and mechanisms are incompletely understood. This study employed a well-defined LBP (LBGP70), and integrated in vivo mouse models, DCs assays, and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to investigate its activity against peanut allergy. LBGP70 demonstrated anti-allergic effects by elevating the splenic Th1/Th2 ratio in mice, suppressing allergen uptake, and promoting Th1-type cytokine expression in DCs. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested a potential interaction model in which LBGP70 competitively occupies surface sites on DC-SIGN and allosterically stabilizes the receptor. Notably, simulations showed that LBGP70 branches formed more hydrogen bonds than the main chain, indicating that branches dominate multivalent engagement. These results support a proposed molecular basis for LBGP70's anti-allergy activity, offering new guidance for the polysaccharide-based allergy management.

Keywords: DC-SIGN; Dendritic cells; Immunomodulation; Molecular dynamics simulations; Th1/Th2 balance.

MeSH terms

Allosteric Regulation / drug effects
Animals
Anti-Allergic Agents* / administration & dosage
Anti-Allergic Agents* / chemistry
Arachis / immunology
Cell Adhesion Molecules* / chemistry
Cell Adhesion Molecules* / genetics
Cell Adhesion Molecules* / immunology
Cytokines / immunology
DC-Specific ICAM-3 Grabbing Nonintegrin
Dendritic Cells* / drug effects
Dendritic Cells* / immunology
Female
Humans
Lectins, C-Type* / chemistry
Lectins, C-Type* / genetics
Lectins, C-Type* / immunology
Mice
Mice, Inbred BALB C
Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Peanut Hypersensitivity* / drug therapy
Peanut Hypersensitivity* / genetics
Peanut Hypersensitivity* / immunology
Plant Extracts* / administration & dosage
Plant Extracts* / chemistry
Polysaccharides* / administration & dosage
Polysaccharides* / chemistry
Receptors, Cell Surface* / chemistry
Receptors, Cell Surface* / genetics
Receptors, Cell Surface* / immunology

Substances

DC-Specific ICAM-3 Grabbing Nonintegrin
Cell Adhesion Molecules
Receptors, Cell Surface
Lectins, C-Type
Polysaccharides
Plant Extracts
Anti-Allergic Agents
Cytokines