Premium
Maternal obesity alters immune cell frequencies and responses in umbilical cord blood samples
Author(s) -
Wilson Randall M.,
Marshall Nicole E.,
Jeske Daniel R.,
Purnell Jonathan Q.,
Thornburg Kent,
Messaoudi Ilhem
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
pediatric allergy and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.269
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1399-3038
pISSN - 0905-6157
DOI - 10.1111/pai.12387
Subject(s) - medicine , immune system , immunology , umbilical cord , cord blood , offspring , asthma , acquired immune system , immune dysregulation , cd14 , allergy , pregnancy , biology , genetics
Background Maternal obesity is one of the several key factors thought to modulate neonatal immune system development. Data from murine studies demonstrate worse outcomes in models of infection, autoimmunity, and allergic sensitization in offspring of obese dams. In humans, children born to obese mothers are at increased risk for asthma. These findings suggest a dysregulation of immune function in the children of obese mothers; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between maternal body weight and the human neonatal immune system. Methods Umbilical cord blood samples were collected from infants born to lean, overweight, and obese mothers. Frequency and function of major innate and adaptive immune cell populations were quantified using flow cytometry and multiplex analysis of circulating factors. Results Compared to babies born to lean mothers, babies of obese mothers had fewer eosinophils and CD 4 T helper cells, reduced monocyte and dendritic cell responses to Toll‐like receptor ligands, and increased plasma levels of IFN ‐α2 and IL ‐6 in cord blood. Conclusion These results support the hypothesis that maternal obesity influences programming of the neonatal immune system, providing a potential link to increased incidence of chronic inflammatory diseases such as asthma and cardiovascular disease in the offspring.