High Cord Blood Levels of the T-Helper 2-Associated Chemokines CCL17 and CCL22 Precede Allergy Development During the First 6 Years of Life

Abstract

Exposure to a strong T-helper 2 (Th2)-like environment during fetal development may promote allergy development. Increased cord blood (CB) levels of the Th2-associated chemokine CCL22 were associated with allergy development during the first 2 y of life. The aim of the present study was to determine whether CB Th1-and Th2-associated chemokine levels are associated with allergy development during the first 6 y of life, allowing assessment of respiratory allergic symptoms usually developing in this period. The CB levels of cytokines, chemokines, and total IgE were determined in 56 children of 20 women with allergic symptoms and 36 women without allergic symptoms. Total IgE and allergen-specific IgE antibody levels were quantified at 6, 12, 24 mo, and 6 y of age. Increased CB CCL22 levels were associated with development of allergic sensitization and asthma and increased CCL17 levels with development of allergic symptoms, including asthma. Sensitized children with allergic symptoms showed higher CB CCL17 and CCL22 levels and higher ratios between these Th2-associated chemokines and the Th1-associated chemokine CXCL10 than nonsensitized children without allergic symptoms. A pronounced Th2 deviation at birth, reflected by increased CB CCL17 and CCL22 levels, and increased CCL22/CXCL10 and CCL17/CXCL10 ratios might promote allergy development later in life. (Pediatr Res 70: 495-500, 2011)

Immune Alterations in CD8+ T Cells Are Associated with Neuronal C-C and C-X-C Chemokine Receptor Regulation Through Adenosine A2A Receptor Signaling in a BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J Autistic Mouse Model

“…Our results demonstrated that CGS significantly reduced the expression levels of CCR4 mRNA. CCR4 has a key pathogenic role in inflammatory conditions in allergies and autoimmune diseases [56,57]. CCR4 exerts its immunomodulatory effects by modulating Th cell function, as well as reducing the induction of regulatory T cells and the elevation of the differentiation of Th17 cells [58].…”

‘Repair’ Treg Cells in Tissue Injury

“…In the context of tissue injury, Tregs restrict the infiltration of inflammatory cells through secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines, which has been well reviewed elsewhere [9]. For example, Tregs directly induce anti-inflammatory macrophages, which contribute to tissue repair during the initiation, maintenance and resolution phases [12, 44-46]. Tregs produce high levels of IL-10, which act directly on fibroblasts [47].…”

Lactobacillus reuteri, Infant Allergy Prevention and Childhood Immune Maturation

“…Interestingly, different allergic symptoms may be related to different chemokines. Furthermore, an imbalance in circulating Th1-and Th2-associated chemokines may precede the onset of sensitization, eczema, and recurrent wheeze from birth [73,74]. Supplementation with specific probiotic strains [75] may be detected by the presence of strain in stool samples.…”