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Immune responses to birch in young children during their first 7 years of life
Author(s) -
Böttcher M. F.,
Jenmalm M. C.,
Björkstén B.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2222.2002.01463.x
Subject(s) - immunology , immunoglobulin e , allergy , immune system , allergen , antibody , medicine , atopy , cytokine , biology
Summary Background The character of immune responses to allergens during the first years of life may decide whether the individual will become tolerant or develop allergy later in life. Objective To study the development of immune responses to the seasonal inhalant allergen birch over the first 7 years of life. Methods Blood samples were obtained from 21 children who were followed prospectively from the second to the seventh pollen season of life. Birch‐induced cytokine production and IgG subclass antibodies to rBet v 1 were analysed with ELISA, mRNA expression with real time PCR, IgE antibodies to birch with Magic Lite TM and birch‐induced mononuclear cell proliferation with 3 H‐thymidine incorporation. Results Birch‐induced IFN‐γ and IL‐10 production increased with age, both in atopic and non‐atopic children, while birch‐induced IL‐13 production decreased. The two children who were sensitized and developed clinical allergy to birch showed persistent IL‐4 and IL‐5 production and IL‐9 mRNA expression, as well as Th2‐associated IgG 4 responses. Transient Th2‐like responses were observed among the other children. Proliferative responses and IgG 1 antibodies were seen in all children. Conclusions Immune responses to birch can be demonstrated in all children, during the first 7 years of life, regardless of atopic status. A transient early Th2‐like response is down‐regulated after the fourth pollen season, except in children who develop clinical allergy to the particular allergen.