Maternal vitamin D intake during pregnancy increases gene expression of ILT3 and ILT4 in cord blood.
BACKGROUND
Recent studies indicate that prenatal vitamin D intake may protect against the development of atopic diseases in young children. Vitamin D has been shown to induce tolerogenic antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells. Whether the allergy-protective potential of prenatal vitamin D is mediated through such mechanisms is, however, unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between prenatal vitamin D supplementation and tolerogenic antigen-presenting cells in cord blood (CB) as determined by mRNA measurement of immunoglobulin-like transcripts (ILT)3 and ILT4.


METHODS
A prospective multi-centre birth cohort was established in rural areas of five European countries. Information on maternal exposures including vitamin D intake was collected by questionnaires during pregnancy. The gene expression of ILT3 and ILT4 was analysed by real-time PCR in the CB of 927 children. Maternal vitamin D supplementation was assessed in Finland and France (n=349).


RESULTS
Maternal vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy was associated with an increase in the gene expression of ILT3 (P=0.012) and ILT4 (P<0.001). This association remained significant for ILT4 (P=0.020) and showed a positive trend for the gene expression of ILT3 (P=0.059) after multivariate analysis controlling for various confounders.


CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy may increase the mRNA levels of ILT3 and ILT4 in CB. This finding may point towards an early induction of tolerogenic immune responses by maternal vitamin D intake.
Rochat
M K
MK
Children's Hospital, University of Munich, Lindwurmstrasse 4, Munich, Germany. mascha.rochat@med.uni-muenchen.de
Ege
M J
MJ
Plabst
D
D
Steinle
J
J
Bitter
S
S
Braun-Fahrländer
C
C
Dalphin
J-C
JC
Riedler
J
J
Roponen
M
M
Hirvonen
M-R
MR
Büchele
G
G
Renz
H
H
Lauener
R
R
Krauss-Etschmann
S
S
von Mutius
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics*; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*
C491341:LILRB2 protein, human; C107907:LILRB4 protein, human; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D014807:Vitamin D