title: Primary sensitization to inhalant allergens.
abstract: The neonatal T-cell system is capable of responding to allergens at birth, indicating the occurrence of prenatal sensitization, and the cytokine profile of these responses is skewed towards the Th-2 type. This response is further modified by postnatal exposure to different types of allergens. In relation to inhalant allergen (employed by HDM) the low level fetal Th-2 responses in non-atopics appear to be down-regulated rapidly after birth, parallel to an increase in allergen-specific IFN-gamma production. In contrast, atopics appear to consolidate their initial Th-2 responses, and around the age of 6 exhibit a cytokine response profile similar to the adult pattern. A pre-existing deficiency in IFN-gamma production may be one of the key factors determining the postnatal persistence of Th-2 responses in atopics.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cell Biology, TVW Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Perth, Australia. macaubas@ichr.uwa.edu.au
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Macaubas
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Prescott
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Venaille
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Holt
authors.forename: T B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Smallacombe
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Sly
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Holt
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D004391:Dust; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008925:Mites; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D016207:Cytokines; D004391:Dust