Protein kinase Czeta: a novel protective neonatal T-cell marker that can be upregulated by allergy prevention strategies.
BACKGROUND
Variations in neonatal T-cell function have been associated with allergic disease.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between neonatal T-cell protein kinase (PKC) expression and subsequent allergic disease.


METHODS
T cells were purified from cord blood samples (n = 74) obtained from a cohort of mothers who received either 4 g/d fish oil or a placebo from 20 weeks of gestation. PKC expression was examined in relationship to supplementation, fatty acid levels, cytokine production, and allergic outcomes at 1 year and 2.5 years of age.


RESULTS
Neonatal T-cell PKCzeta expression was lower in children who had evidence of allergic disease at 1 year (P = .001) and 2.5 years (P = .052) of age. It was also lower in children with sensitization (positive skin prick test) at each age (P = .02 and P = .072, respectively). PKCzeta expression was inversely correlated to PKCalpha (r = -0.28; P = .025), which was strongly related to IL-5 responses to allergens (ovalbumin, r = 0.59; P = .003; dust mite, r = 0.52; P = .011) at 1 year of age. Fish oil supplementation was associated with significantly higher PKCzeta expression (P = .014), whereas most other isozymes were reduced by fish oil supplementation.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study to show that allergic disease is associated with altered expression of T-cell PKC isozymes in the neonatal period. It has also demonstrated that fish oil can modulate expression of PKC isozymes in a potentially favorable direction.


CONCLUSIONS
Protein kinase Czeta should be explored further as an early marker and potential target for disease prevention.
Prescott
Susan L
SL
School of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia. sprescott@meddent.uwa.edu.au
Irvine
James
J
Dunstan
Janet A
JA
Hii
Charles
C
Ferrante
Antonio
A
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000378:metabolism*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D015854:Up-Regulation; D000099221:Protein Kinase C zeta
D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D005227:Fatty Acids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D000099221:Protein Kinase C zeta