BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the influence of maternal allergy on cord blood regulatory and effector T cells and to evaluate their role as a predictor of atopic dermatitis (AD) during the first 2 yr of life. METHODS: Seventy mother-infant pairs were recruited in this prospective birth cohort study (21 allergic and 49 non-allergic mothers). Cord blood samples were collected and assayed for the percentage of regulatory T cells (Treg), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and interleukin-4 (IL-4) producing T cells (Th1 and Th2, respectively) using flow cytometry. Experiments were undertaken to assess the function of cord blood CD4(+) CD25(+) CD127(-) Treg cells by cell proliferation and cytokine responses. Their offspring at the age of 2 yr old were evaluated by dermatologists to determine whether they had AD. RESULTS: During the first 2 yr of life, 15.7% of the children developed a physician-diagnosed AD. A significantly increased percentage of Th2 cell was observed in cord blood of newborns with maternal allergy. Treg/Th2 ratio significantly decreased among the offspring of allergic mothers. Treg cell-associated suppression of Th2 response was attenuated in Der p1-stimulated CD4(+) CD25(-) T cells from the offspring of allergic mothers. Children with reduced Th1/Th2 (p = 0.001, OR = 0.37) and Treg/Th2 (p = 0.001, OR = 0.47) ratio in cord blood had a higher risk of developing AD. CONCLUSION: Maternal allergic status is associated with increased percentage of IL-4(+) CD4(+) T cells and a reduced Treg/Th2 ratio in cord blood at their children's birth, which may predispose to an increased risk for developing AD.
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the influence of maternal allergy on cord blood regulatory and effector T cells and to evaluate their role as a predictor of atopic dermatitis (AD) during the first 2 yr of life. METHODS: Seventy mother-infant pairs were recruited in this prospective birth cohort study (21 allergic and 49 non-allergic mothers). Cord blood samples were collected and assayed for the percentage of regulatory T cells (Treg), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and interleukin-4 (IL-4) producing T cells (Th1 and Th2, respectively) using flow cytometry. Experiments were undertaken to assess the function of cord blood CD4(+) CD25(+) CD127(-) Treg cells by cell proliferation and cytokine responses. Their offspring at the age of 2 yr old were evaluated by dermatologists to determine whether they had AD. RESULTS: During the first 2 yr of life, 15.7% of the children developed a physician-diagnosed AD. A significantly increased percentage of Th2 cell was observed in cord blood of newborns with maternal allergy. Treg/Th2 ratio significantly decreased among the offspring of allergic mothers. Treg cell-associated suppression of Th2 response was attenuated in Der p1-stimulated CD4(+) CD25(-) T cells from the offspring of allergic mothers. Children with reduced Th1/Th2 (p = 0.001, OR = 0.37) and Treg/Th2 (p = 0.001, OR = 0.47) ratio in cord blood had a higher risk of developing AD. CONCLUSION:Maternal allergic status is associated with increased percentage of IL-4(+) CD4(+) T cells and a reduced Treg/Th2 ratio in cord blood at their children's birth, which may predispose to an increased risk for developing AD.
Authors: Jillian Ashley-Martin; Linda Dodds; Tye E Arbuckle; Adrian R Levy; Robert W Platt; Jean S Marshall Journal: Pediatr Allergy Immunol Date: 2015-02-18 Impact factor: 6.377
Authors: Kari C Nadeau; Zhigang Li; Shohreh Farzan; Devin Koestler; David Robbins; Dennis Liang Fei; Meena Malipatlolla; Holden Maecker; Richard Enelow; Susan Korrick; Margaret R Karagas Journal: Clin Immunol Date: 2014-09-16 Impact factor: 3.969
Authors: A Strömbeck; H Rabe; A-C Lundell; K Andersson; S Johansen; I Adlerberth; A E Wold; B Hesselmar; A Rudin Journal: Clin Exp Allergy Date: 2014-07 Impact factor: 5.018