title: Age-related changes of transforming growth factor beta1 in Japanese children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF beta 1) is an important factor in immunomodulation. The expression of TGF beta 1 has been shown to be influenced by the C-509T polymorphism in the TGF beta 1 gene. We investigated age-related changes of plasma TGF beta 1 levels in a birth-cohort study. In addition, the genotypes of the C-509T polymorphism were investigated in allergic and non-allergic subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-four neonates who met the following criteria were enrolled in this cohort study: 1) full-term vaginally delivery; 2) underwent DNA polymorphism analysis; and 3) questionnaire forms were filled out by parents at 0, 6 and 14 months of age. The umbilical cord blood at 0 months and peripheral blood at 6, and 14 months were collected. Plasma TGF beta1 levels were measured at 0, 6 and 14 months of age. Genomic DNA was extracted from their umbilical cord blood. The genotype of the subjects was examined for the presence of C-509T.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The plasma TGF beta 1 level at 6 months was the highest of the 3 measurements (at 0, 6, and 14 months of age). The TGF beta 1 levels at 14 months in allergic subjects were significantly higher than those in non-allergic subjects (p = 0.03). All subjects with bronchial asthma (n = 3) had the TT genotype of the C-509T polymorphism.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The plasma TGF beta 1 levels change with age. In addition, TGF beta 1 may play a role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan.
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morimoto
authors.forename: Eiko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Matsui
authors.forename: Norio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kawamoto
authors.forename: Satomi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sakurai
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kaneko
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fukao
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iwasa
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shiraki
authors.forename: Kimiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kasahara
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kondo
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D007073:Immunoglobulin E