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Patterns of food allergen‐specific cytokine production by T lymphocytes of children with multiple allergies
Author(s) -
ScottTaylor T. H.,
Hourihane J. B.,
Harper J.,
Strobel S.
Publication year - 2005
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 - 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2005.02355.x
Subject(s) - immunology , immunoglobulin e , cytokine , allergy , population , food allergy , ovalbumin , cd8 , medicine , allergen , antigen , antibody , environmental health
Background The contribution of different T cell subsets to the overall measured cytokine response to food allergens is largely unexplored. Method The patterns of cytokine production of peripheral blood‐derived T cells after allergen stimulation were studied in 22 children with multiple food allergies and in 20 non‐allergic children as controls, using flow cytometry. Results Proportions of T cells of food‐sensitized children spontaneously secreting IFN‐γ and IL‐10 (without antigen stimulation) were lower than non‐atopic children and adult controls ( P 0.001). The proportions of IL‐4‐producing cells in vitro were significantly increased ( P 0.04) and IFN‐γ‐producing cells were significantly reduced ( P 0.05) in sensitized children after incubation with and without dendritic cell presentation of peanut extract, β‐lactoglobulin and ovalbumin. The reverse pattern was found in non‐sensitized children and adult controls. IL‐4 secretion in allergic children to sensitizing allergens was mainly restricted to the CD4 + CD45 RO + population while in non‐atopic controls both CD4 + and CD8 + CD45 RO + cells produced mostly IFN‐γ. Food‐specific IgE values did not correspond with cytokine responses but IL‐4 production and IFN‐γ reduction relative to normal children were closely associated with total IgE levels. Conclusion Food‐allergic children's IL‐4 cytokine response to their relevant allergens is predominantly from a memory population of CD4 + CD45 RO + cells, whereas IL‐4 and IFN‐γ secretion of non‐allergic controls was predominantly from mixed CD4 + and CD8 + CD45 RO + populations.