title: Risk of allergy development correlates with IL-4 receptor expression on newborns' monocytes and Th lymphocytes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  IL-4 receptor (IL-4R) overexpression on immunoregulatory/effector cells was found in allergic patients. However, its role in allergy development remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between IL-4R expression and allergy development within the first year of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  IL-4R expression on monocytes and Th lymphocytes of 43 newborns was analyzed using flow cytometry. Plasma levels of IL-4, -12 and IFN-gamma were also measured using ELISA. The same parameters were assessed one year later. Furthermore, clinical evaluation was performed every three months for one year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean IL-4R expression on monocytes and Th lymphocytes did not differ at birth. After one year it increased on Th-lymphocytes and decreased on monocytes. However, among 10 children with severe atopy during the observation period, 8 displayed IL-4R above the mean value for the group on both monocytes and Th cells at birth as well as one year later. No correlation was found between IL-4 or IFN-gamma and IL-4R expression at birth. After one year, significant IL-4 increases and IFN-gamma decreases were observed which correlated with IL-4R expression. IL-4R expression on the newborns' monocytes correlated negatively with IL-12 plasma level; however, it was statistically significant only in the children developing allergy. Moreover, only in these patients was a significant decrease in IL-12 found after one year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IL-4R-dependent over-signaling in newborns' monocytes and Th lymphocytes could contribute to Th1/Th2 imbalance. IL-4R overexpression on newborns' monocytes and lymphocytes could be an early risk marker of allergy development.
authors: Department of Pediatric Allergy and Pulmonology, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland.
authors: Katarzyna
authors: K
authors: Grzela
authors: Tomasz
authors: T
authors: Grzela
authors: Grazyna
authors: G
authors: Korczak-Kowalska
authors: Katarzyna
authors: K
authors: Bocian
authors: Wiesława
authors: W
authors: Sonczyk
authors: Urszula
authors: U
authors: Jedrasiak
authors: Justyna
authors: J
authors: Niderla-Bielińska
authors: Maciej
authors: M
authors: Lazarczyk
authors: Wioletta
authors: W
authors: Zagórska
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Zawadzka-Krajewska
authors: Wojciech
authors: W
authors: Feleszko
authors: Marek
authors: M
authors: Kulus
mesh_terms: D002469:Cell Separation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4 / Q000276:immunology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4