Oral exposure to bisphenol A exacerbates allergic inflammation in a mouse model of food allergy

Allergic diseases are increasing worldwide, and their precise causes are not fully understood. However, this observation can be correlated with growing chemical pollution of the environment. Bisphenol A (BPA) alters the immune system, microbiota and barrier functions. Here, we studied the effect of oral BPA at levels equivalent to human exposure to understand the mechanisms of immunological, physiological and microbial action on food allergies. In a murine model of allergy, we evaluated the effect of direct oral exposure to BPA at 4 µg/kg bw/d corresponding to tolerable daily intake (TDI). We studied symptoms, intestinal physiology and humorall and cellular immune responses during food allergy. We explored the relationship between oral exposure to BPA and changes in the gut microenvironment. Markers of food allergy and intestinal permeability were increased following exposure to BPA. We also observed a modulated humorall and T-cell response with aggravation of food allergy inflammation. Moreover, BPA exposure induced gut dysbiosis and decreased microbial diversity induced by food allergy. Altogether, these results suggest that the 2015 European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) TDI should be reviewed to consider the immunotoxicity of BPA.