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Pregnancy modulates the allergen‐induced cytokine production differently in allergic and non‐allergic women
Author(s) -
Abelius Martina S.,
Jedenfalk Malin,
Ernerudh Jan,
Janefjord Camilla,
Berg Göran,
Matthiesen Leif,
Jenmalm Maria C.
Publication year - 2017
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.12802
Subject(s) - medicine , pregnancy , immunology , allergy , allergen , allergic response , chemokine , sensitization , cytokine , immune system , immunoglobulin e , antibody , genetics , biology
Background The immunological environment during pregnancy may differ between allergic and non‐allergic women. This study investigates the effect of maternal allergy on the allergen‐induced cytokine and chemokine levels and whether pregnancy modulates these immune responses differently in allergic and non‐allergic women. Methods The birch‐, cat‐, phytohemagglutinin‐ and tetanus toxoid‐induced interferon‐γ ( IFN ‐γ), interleukin ( IL )‐4, IL ‐5, IL ‐10, IL ‐13, the T‐helper 1 (Th1)‐associated chemokine CXCL 10 and the Th2‐associated chemokine CCL 17 levels were quantified in 20 women with allergic symptoms (sensitized, n = 13) and 36 women without allergic symptoms (non‐sensitized, n = 30) at gestational weeks 10‐12, 15‐16, 25, 35 and 2 and 12 months post‐partum. Results Birch‐, but not cat‐induced, IL ‐5, IL ‐13 and CCL 17 levels were increased during pregnancy as compared to post‐partum in the sensitized women with allergic symptoms. In contrast, cat‐, but not birch‐induced, IL ‐5 and IL ‐13 levels were increased during pregnancy as compared to post‐partum in the non‐sensitized women without allergic symptoms. Furthermore, IFN ‐γ secretion was increased in the first and decreased in the second and third trimesters in response to birch and decreased in the third trimester in response to cat as compared to post‐partum in the non‐sensitized women without allergic symptoms. Increased allergen‐induced IL ‐4, IL ‐5 and IL ‐13 levels were associated with allergic symptoms and sensitization. Conclusions Pregnancy had a clear effect on the allergen‐induced IL ‐5, IL ‐13, CCL 17, IFN ‐γ and CXCL 10 production, with distinct enhanced Th2‐responses to birch in the allergic group and to cat in the non‐allergic group.