Genistein Enhancement of Respiratory Allergen Trimellitic Anhydride-induced IgE Production by Adult B6C3F1 Mice Following In Utero and Postnatal Exposure

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to determine if exposure to the phytoestrogen genistein (GEN) during immune development had any effects on the production of IgE by adult mice following dermal treatment with trimellitic anhydride (TMA), a respiratory allergen. B6C3F1 mice were exposed to GEN either by feeding at 500 ppm or by gavage (20 mg/kg) for varied periods from gestation day (GD) 14 to postnatal day (PND) 84. In utero exposure to GEN by feeding increased the production of IgE at PND 84 in male mice but not in female mice. In male mice, continuous exposure to GEN postnatally diminished the in utero exposure-induced enhancement in serum total IgE production. However, continuous exposure to GEN from GD 14 to PND 84 was required to increase serum total IgE production in female mice. In utero exposure to GEN by gavage increased the production of IgE at PND 84 in female mice but not in male mice when the mice were maintained on the NIH-07 rodent diet in which a medium level of phytoestrogens was present. The enhancement in IgE production after GEN exposure in females but not in males was associated with decreases in the percentages of CD4(+)CD25(+) T suppressor cells, and increases in the natural killer (NK) cell activity, the basal splenocyte proliferation, the expression of CD86 by B cells, and the production of IL-2 and IL-4. Overall, the results demonstrated that GEN differentially modulated the developing immune system in male and female mice, and that more IgE was produced upon exposure to TMA in the adult.

Dietary patterns in pregnancy and respiratory and atopic outcomes in childhood

“…A previous study in this cohort found that vegetarian mothers were more likely to have boys with hypospadias,38 and it was suggested that this link might be explained by phyto-oestrogens. Vegetarians have a higher intake and blood levels of phyto-oestrogens than omnivores,39 and there are animal data which suggest that exposure to phyto-oestrogens in early life can increase later IgE production,40 although we did not observe an association with atopy.…”

Endocrine disrupters – potential modulators of the immune system and allergic response

“…In utero exposure to genistein by feeding only during gestation increased the synthesis of IgE at 84th postnatal day only in male mice (84). What seems to be interesting, in female mice serum total IgE were enhanced only when genistein was administrated continuously from gestation to 84th postnatal day.…”

Effects of Transmaternal Exposure to Genistein in Hatano High- and Low-Avoidance Rats

“…All offspring were weighed on PDs 1, 4, 7, 14, and 21, and weanlings were further weighed at 4,5,6,7,8,9, and 10 weeks of age. Test offspring were examined daily for the following developmental landmarks as previously described: eyelid opening [29] from PD 12, vaginal opening [38] from PD 28, and preputial separa-tion [36] from PD 35.…”

“…Soy-containing infant formulas and the breast milk of mothers that consume soy-based foods are rich in isoflavones [8,37]. In animal studies, GN is reported to have had effects on behavior [7,18], the reproductive system [4,19,23,34], and the immune system [9,15,41].…”