Reduced interferon gamma production by antigen-stimulated cord blood mononuclear cells is a risk factor of allergic disorders--6-year follow-up study

Clin Exp Allergy. 1998 Nov;28(11):1340-4. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2222.1998.00418.x.

Abstract

Background: It is not sufficient to predict 'high allergic risk newborns' on the basis of increased IgE concentrations of cord blood alone, because a raised cord blood IgE concentration is specific but not sensitive in the prediction of the development of allergic disorders. Warner et al. have reported that interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) production by allergen-triggered cord blood cells is a predictor of atopic eczema, based on the 1-year follow-up study.

Objective: We examined whether IFN-gamma production by antigen-stimulated cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) is a risk factor of allergic disorders, based on the 6-year follow-up study.

Methods: The relationships among cord blood IgE concentrations, IFN-gamma and interleukin-2 (IL-2) productions by antigen-stimulated CBMCs, and the development of allergic disorders in 21 infants for 6 years were investigated.

Results: Atopic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis, or atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma developed in seven of 21 subjects. The maximal IFN-gamma concentration in culture supernatants of ovalbumin (OA) or bovine serum albumin (BSA) stimulated CBMCs in infants who developed allergic disorders was significantly lower (P < 0.01) than that in infants who did not develop any allergic disorders. In contrast, the maximal IL-2 concentration in culture supernatants of OA- or BSA-stimulated CBMCs in infants who developed allergic disorders was not lower than in infants who did not develop any allergic disorders. Moreover, the IFN-gamma concentrations were negatively correlated with cord blood IgE concentrations.

Conclusion: Reduced IFN-gamma production by antigen-stimulated CBMCs is a risk factor of allergic disorders.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens / immunology
  • Antigens / pharmacology*
  • Asthma / blood
  • Asthma / immunology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / blood
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / immunology
  • Fetal Blood / cytology*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / blood*
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interferon-gamma / drug effects*
  • Interleukin-2 / biosynthesis
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / drug effects*
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism
  • Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / blood
  • Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / immunology
  • Risk Factors
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Interleukin-2
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Interferon-gamma