Lifestyle and parental allergen sensitization are reflected in the intrauterine environment at gene expression level.
BACKGROUND
Environmental factors, including the intrauterine environment, can influence the risk of allergy development. In the present study, we investigated whether lifestyle and parental allergen sensitization status are reflected at gene expression level in the intrauterine environment.


METHODS
mRNA expression of 17 genes was determined by means of quantitative real-time PCR in term placenta of 36 families participating in the ALADDIN study (Assessment of Lifestyle and Allergic Disease During Infancy). Data were analysed using a linear regression model to estimate the influence of lifestyle and parental allergen sensitization on the relative mRNA expression levels. Immunohistochemistry on placenta biopsies was used to verify protein expression.


RESULTS
Significant differences in mRNA expression levels were detected at the foetal side of the placenta, where CD14 was expressed at higher levels in placentas from families living on a farm compared to not living on a farm, and IL-12(p40) was expressed at lower levels when the father was sensitized compared to nonsensitized. At the maternal side of the placenta, higher expression of STAT4 and lower expression of GATA3 were detected in families with sensitized compared to nonsensitized mothers, and IL-12(p40) was lower expressed when the families were living on a farm compared to not living on a farm. Immunohistochemistry performed for STAT4 and GATA3 showed that protein and mRNA levels correlated well.


CONCLUSIONS
Living on a farm and parental allergen sensitization are reflected in the intrauterine environment at the gene expression level.
Department of Medicine Solna, Clinical Allergy Research Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Maaike.Joerink@ki.se
Maaike
M
Joerink
M A W
MA
Oortveld
F
F
Stenius
E
E
Rindsjö
J
J
Alm
A
A
Scheynius
D000383:Agriculture; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D050990:GATA3 Transcription Factor / Q000032:analysis; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D053762:Interleukin-12 Subunit p40 / Q000032:analysis; D008019:Life Style; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D010920:Placenta / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D050797:STAT4 Transcription Factor / Q000032:analysis
D000485:Allergens; D050990:GATA3 Transcription Factor; C494749:GATA3 protein, human; D053762:Interleukin-12 Subunit p40; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D050797:STAT4 Transcription Factor; C494090:STAT4 protein, human