title: Association of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma production by blood mononuclear cells in infancy with parental allergy skin tests and with subsequent development of atopy.
abstract: The mechanisms regulating the onset of atopic sensitization in human beings are not yet fully clarified. We assessed the capacity of mitogen-stimulated umbilical and peripheral blood mononuclear cells to produce interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) at birth and at 9 months of age in 159 infants. Mononuclear cell production of both IFN-gamma and IL-2 at 9 months, but not at birth, was found to be inversely related to parental immediate skin test reactivity to seven local aeroallergens. Skin test reactivity at the age of 6 years was also inversely related to IFN-gamma and IL-2 production at 9 months of age. However, no relationship was evident between total serum IgE levels at 6 years and production of these cytokines at 9 months. The proportions of circulating lymphocytes and CD4+ or CD8+ cells were also unrelated to skin test reactivity at the age of 6 years. These data suggest that mechanisms regulating skin test reactivity to inhaled allergens may involve deficient IFN-gamma production, deficient IL-2 production, or both during or preceding the time of initial sensitization and that additional mechanisms are involved in regulating total serum IgE level.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007371:Interferon-gamma