Cellular activation was confirmed in the control conditions of the ex vivo stimulation assay; a significant increase in IL-5, IL-10, IL-13 and IFNγ production was observed in all groups after polyclonal stimulation of cultured cells using anti-CD3 (CMA model) or anti-CD3/CD28 (PNA model) compared to stimulation with only medium in both food allergy models (data not shown). This evidence concerns the gene CD28 and food allergy.