The LINA Study: Higher Sensitivity of Infant Compared to Maternal Eosinophil/Basophil Progenitors to Indoor Chemical Exposures.
OBJECTIVE
Enhanced eosinophil/basophil (Eo/B) progenitor cell levels are known to be associated with allergic inflammation and atopy risk. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of different indoor exposures on the recruitment and differentiation of Eo/B progenitors in mother-child pairs.


METHODS
In 68 mother-child pairs of the LINA study peripheral blood mononuclear cells were used to assess Eo/B colony forming units (CFUs). Information about disease outcomes and indoor exposures was obtained from questionnaires. Indoor concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured by passive sampling.


RESULTS
Infant's Eo/B CFUs were positively associated with exposure to tobacco smoke, disinfectants, or VOCs. In contrast, for maternal Eo/B CFUs, only a few associations were seen. Higher numbers of infant Eo/B CFUs were observed in children with wheezing symptoms within the second year of life.


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrate that infant's hematopoietic cells seem to respond with more sensitivity to environmental exposure compared to maternal cells. At least in infants, an activation of these hematopoietic cells by environmental exposure could contribute to an enhanced risk for the development of respiratory outcomes.
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Leipzig, Department of Environmental Immunology, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases (LIFE), University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 27, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
Friederike
F
Hörnig
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Leipzig, Department of Metabolomics, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
Tibor
T
Kohajda
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Leipzig, Core Facility Studies, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
Stefan
S
Röder
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Leipzig, Department of Environmental Immunology, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
Gunda
G
Herberth
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Leipzig, Department of Metabolomics, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Leipzig, Department of Proteomics, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Aalborg University, Niels Jernes Vej 10, 9220 Aalborg East, Denmark.
Martin
M
von Bergen
Children's Hospital, Municipal Hospital "St. Georg", Academic Teaching Hospital of the University of Leipzig, Delitzscher Straße 141, 04129 Leipzig, Germany.
Michael
M
Borte
Children's Hospital, Municipal Hospital "St. Georg", Academic Teaching Hospital of the University of Leipzig, Delitzscher Straße 141, 04129 Leipzig, Germany.
Ulrike
U
Diez
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Leipzig, Department of Metabolomics, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
Ulrike
U
Rolle-Kampczyk
University Hospital of Leipzig, Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 23, Haus 10, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
Jan-C
JC
Simon
Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, McMaster University, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8N 3Z5.
Judah A
JA
Denburg
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Leipzig, Department of Environmental Immunology, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
Irina
I
Lehmann
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Leipzig, Department of Environmental Immunology, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
Kristin M
KM
Junge
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001491:Basophils / Q000276:immunology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D042381:Granulocyte Precursor Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D012906:Smoke / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
D000393:Air Pollutants; D012906:Smoke; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds