Effects of winter birth season and prenatal cockroach and mouse allergen exposure on indoor allergen-specific cord blood mononuclear cell proliferation and cytokine production

Abstract

Background Season of birth has been associated with the development of atopy and asthma. Relationships among a particular birth season, maternal allergen exposure during the birth season, and childhood development of allergies to allergens in higher concentration during the birth season may be important. Objective To investigate the effects of winter birth (January 1 to March 31) and prenatal cockroach and mouse allergens in settled dust on indoor allergen–specific cord blood mononuclear cell (CBMC) proliferation, TH2 production, and cord blood IgE concentration. Methods As part of an ongoing prospective study, 350 cord blood samples were collected. The CBMCs were cultured with cockroach, dust mite, and mouse protein extracts, and proliferation was measured. Interleukin 5, interferon-γ, and total IgE levels were measured. Home dust samples were analyzed for cockroach and mouse allergens. Results An isolated association was observed between winter birth and a greater mean (SD) cockroach interleukin 5 ratio (winter vs nonwinter birth: 26,043 [11,403] vs 11,344 [3,701]; P = .02). Other associations between winter birth and increased CBMC proliferation, T-helper cytokines, or cord blood IgE levels were not detected. Higher mouse allergen levels were associated with decreased mouse-induced proliferation (winter vs nonwinter birth: mean [SD] stimulation index, 1.72 [0.12] vs 2.02 [0.11]; P = 04). Conclusions Winter birth and increased cockroach or mouse allergen levels during pregnancy were not consistently abssociated with greater CBMC proliferation, T-helper cytokine production, or cord blood IgE levels. Greater indoor allergen exposure during pregnancy does not seem to affect the development of cockroach or mouse immune responses in utero.

Urban Tree Canopy and Asthma, Wheeze, Rhinitis, and Allergic Sensitization to Tree Pollen in a New York City Birth Cohort

“…It is unknown whether individuals without symptomatic allergic sensitization would likewise have higher IgE response and be more likely to exhibit false positive tests for allergic sensitization following allergen exposure, but if so an association between allergen exposure and seroatopy could be observed without having meaningful clinical consequences. Several studies of seasonal exposure patterns suggest an association between pollen exposure and sensitization that may be strongest in infancy rather than during pregnancy (Bjorksten et al 1980; Kihlstrom et al 2002; Knudsen et al 2007; Lendor et al 2008), but an association between novel allergen exposure and allergic sensitization may also persist into adulthood (Asero 2004). Tree canopy exposure estimates based on the prenatal neighborhood in our study may be serving as a proxy marker of exposure during infancy or early childhood.…”

Relationship between maternal demoralization, wheeze, and immunoglobulin E among inner-city children

“…31 For maternal IgE, a binary variable was computed using a cut point of greater than 100 IU IgE/mL for high values. 32 Symptoms were categorized as being within the cold and flu season if most of the interval (>45 days) queried fell between September 1 and March 31, as described. 30 For total IgE, the values within the upper 25% (sensitization) of the distribution were compared with the values within the lower 75% of the distribution (no sensitization).…”

Influence of photoperiod on hormones, behavior, and immune function

“…For example, in industrialized countries, the environment during early life has a profound effect on health outcome. Season of birth effects have been reported for cytokine responses [115] and numerous health conditions including asthma [118, 163], allergy [178, 314], inflammatory bowel disease [16, 206, 313], and multiple sclerosis [24, 200, 290, 300]. Although the directionality and strength of these relationships varies among the specific immunological component and disease state investigated, these season of birth differences are still apparent.…”