Figure 7. Experimental design. The study involved 5 groups of 6 mice, in particular (1) the naïve group that did not receive any treatment, (2) the sensitized group that was immunized with purified rBet v 1, and (3) 3 groups of “Sensitized/treated” that after the sensitization received one of 3 alternative treatments by oral gavage. In particular, ST group received 2 × 109 cfu of Streptococcus thermophilus the ST[rBet v 1] that received 2 × 109 cfu Streptococcus thermophilus expressing 2 µg rBet v 1, and the ST+rBet v 1 that received 2 × 109 cfu ST in association with 2 µg rBet v 1. Symbols indicate the treatment modality: vertical line, s.c. injection; triangle, aerosol; asterisk, intragastric gavage; cross, sacrifice; times sign, no treatment.