Mv. Kopp et al., Allergen-specific T cell reactivity in cord blood: the influence of maternal cytokine production, CLIN EXP AL, 31(10), 2001, pp. 1536-1543
Background Successful pregnancy is dependent upon T helper (Th)2-type-domin
ated immunological responsiveness in gestation-associated compartments.
Objective In our study we observed the influence of the maternal Th2-associ
ated cytokine pattern on the naive fetal T cell phenotype and asked if circ
ulating Th2 cytokines of atopic mothers affects the Th1/Th2 differentiation
of the fetus.
Methods Cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) and peripheral blood mononuclea
r cells (PBMC) of the corresponding mothers were isolated. The proliferativ
e response of CBMC and PBMC to Betalactoglobulin (BEG) was assessed by liqu
id scintillation counting. The cytokines. interferon (IFN)-gamma, and inter
leukin (IL)-5, IL-10 and IL-13 in the cell culture supernatants were measur
ed using the ELISA technique. We then defined two subgroups based on matern
al levels of specific IgE. against aeroallergens: sensitized mothers (MA(+)
) and their neonates (NMA(+)) (n = 18) and non-sensitized mothers (MA) and
their neonates (NMA(-)) (n = 29).
Results Nearly all mothers (98%) and neonates (92%) had a positive prolifer
ation response after stimulation with BLG (mean stimulation index (10-90 pe
rcentile): neonates: 7 (2-15); mothers 14 (5-29)). In supernatants of BLG-s
timulated cell cultures, sensitized mothers showed a significantly lower IF
N-gamma concentration in comparison to non-sensitized mothers (MA(+) = 25;
MA(-) = 123 IU/L; P < 0,05), whereas the neonates did not differ significan
tly (NMA(+) = 306; NMA- = 224 IU/L; n. s.). Nor was any difference found in
the IL-13 concentration between the two groups of sensitized and non-sensi
tized mothers (MA(+) = 48; MA(-) = 125 pg/mL; n. s.). CBMC of neonates with
a sensitized mother showed significantly higher IL-13 concentrations in re
sponse to BLG than neonates of nonsensitized mothers (NMA(+) = 1442, NMA(-)
738 pg/mL; P < 0.05). The IL-5 and IL-10 concentrations did not differ sig
nificantly within the neonatal and the maternal subgroups.
Conclusions Our data suggests that maternal sensitization to allergens is a
ssociated with the reduced maternal production of the Th2 antagonist IFN-ga
mma and elevated production of the Th2 cytokine IL-13 in the offspring.