Risk of allergy development correlates with IL-4 receptor expression on newborns' monocytes and Th lymphocytes.
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.
Grzela
Katarzyna
K
Department of Pediatric Allergy and Pulmonology, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland.
Grzela
Tomasz
T
Korczak-Kowalska
Grazyna
G
Bocian
Katarzyna
K
Sonczyk
Wiesława
W
Jedrasiak
Urszula
U
Niderla-Bielińska
Justyna
J
Lazarczyk
Maciej
M
Zagórska
Wioletta
W
Zawadzka-Krajewska
Anna
A
Feleszko
Wojciech
W
Kulus
Marek
M
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*
D016207:Cytokines; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4