M F Böttcher1, M C Jenmalm, B Björkstén. 1. Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Division of Pediatrics, and Clinical Research Centre Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. malfa@kfc.liu.se
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The character of immune responses to allergens during the first years of life may decide whether the individual will become tolerant or develop allergy later in life. OBJECTIVE: To study the development of immune responses to the seasonal inhalant allergen birch over the first 7 years of life. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from 21 children who were followed prospectively from the second to the seventh pollen season of life. Birch-induced cytokine production and IgG subclass antibodies to rBet v 1 were analysed with ELISA, mRNA expression with real time PCR, IgE antibodies to birch with Magic Lite and birch-induced mononuclear cell proliferation with 3H-thymidine incorporation. RESULTS: Birch-induced IFN-gamma and IL-10 production increased with age, both in atopic and non-atopic children, while birch-induced IL-13 production decreased. The two children who were sensitized and developed clinical allergy to birch showed persistent IL-4 and IL-5 production and IL-9 mRNA expression, as well as Th2-associated IgG4 responses. Transient Th2-like responses were observed among the other children. Proliferative responses and IgG1 antibodies were seen in all children. CONCLUSIONS: Immune responses to birch can be demonstrated in all children, during the first 7 years of life, regardless of atopic status. A transient early Th2-like response is down-regulated after the fourth pollen season, except in children who develop clinical allergy to the particular allergen.
BACKGROUND: The character of immune responses to allergens during the first years of life may decide whether the individual will become tolerant or develop allergy later in life. OBJECTIVE: To study the development of immune responses to the seasonal inhalant allergen birch over the first 7 years of life. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from 21 children who were followed prospectively from the second to the seventh pollen season of life. Birch-induced cytokine production and IgG subclass antibodies to rBet v 1 were analysed with ELISA, mRNA expression with real time PCR, IgE antibodies to birch with Magic Lite and birch-induced mononuclear cell proliferation with 3H-thymidine incorporation. RESULTS: Birch-induced IFN-gamma and IL-10 production increased with age, both in atopic and non-atopic children, while birch-induced IL-13 production decreased. The two children who were sensitized and developed clinical allergy to birch showed persistent IL-4 and IL-5 production and IL-9 mRNA expression, as well as Th2-associated IgG4 responses. Transient Th2-like responses were observed among the other children. Proliferative responses and IgG1 antibodies were seen in all children. CONCLUSIONS: Immune responses to birch can be demonstrated in all children, during the first 7 years of life, regardless of atopic status. A transient early Th2-like response is down-regulated after the fourth pollen season, except in children who develop clinical allergy to the particular allergen.
Authors: Barbro H Skogman; Sandra Hellberg; Christina Ekerfelt; Maria C Jenmalm; Pia Forsberg; Johnny Ludvigsson; Sven Bergström; Jan Ernerudh Journal: Clin Dev Immunol Date: 2011-12-05
Authors: Juan Miguel Rodríguez; Kiera Murphy; Catherine Stanton; R Paul Ross; Olivia I Kober; Nathalie Juge; Ekaterina Avershina; Knut Rudi; Arjan Narbad; Maria C Jenmalm; Julian R Marchesi; Maria Carmen Collado Journal: Microb Ecol Health Dis Date: 2015-02-02
Authors: Lotta Nylund; Reetta Satokari; Janne Nikkilä; Mirjana Rajilić-Stojanović; Marko Kalliomäki; Erika Isolauri; Seppo Salminen; Willem M de Vos Journal: BMC Microbiol Date: 2013-01-23 Impact factor: 3.605