Fetal cord blood: aspects of heightened immune responses.
Neonatal immune responses have been associated with the development of atopy in childhood. We assessed in cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) whether increased allergen/mitogen-induced lymphoproliferation (LP) is associated with pro-allergic Th2 cytokine IL-13 or Th1 cytokine IFN-gamma secretion. We determined whether LP to one allergen is related to heightened lymphocyte function to other allergens/mitogen. CBMC from 135 neonates were stimulated with house dust mite (Derf1), cockroach, ovalbumin, or mitogen. LP to one allergen was associated with significantly increased LP to other allergens/mitogen. Increased Derf1-LP was associated with increased Derf1-induced IL-13 secretion (r = 0.21, p = 0.01). After adjusting for neonatal gender, race, and maternal smoking, Derf1-LP remained associated with Derf1-IL-13 (OR 3.08, 95% CI 1.56-6.10). Increased mitogen-induced proliferation was associated with increased mitogen-induced IL-13 secretion (r = 0.37, p < 0.001). For some individuals, a predisposition to a heightened immune response is already evident at birth. Whether this phenotype results in atopy in childhood warrants further investigation.
Schaub
B
B
University Children's Hospital, Dr von Haunersches Kinderspital, Munich, Germany. bianca.schaub@med.uni-muenchen.de
Tantisira
K G
KG
Gibbons
F K
FK
He
H
H
Litonjua
A A
AA
Gillman
M W
MW
Weiss
S
S
Perkins
D L
DL
Gold
D R
DR
Finn
P W
PW
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000378:metabolism; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy
D000485:Allergens; D018793:Interleukin-13; D008934:Mitogens; D007371:Interferon-gamma