Ovalbumin-Induced IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-γProduction in Infants with Atopic Dermatitis

Abstract

Background: Although hen’s eggs are considered a cause of infantile atopic dermatitis (AD), little is known about cytokine production upon egg stimulation in infants with AD. Objective: This study aimed to characterize the production of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-γ upon stimulation with ovalbumin (OVA), a representative allergenic protein of egg, in infants with AD. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 68 children with AD, including 46 infants (<1 year), were stimulated with OVA and the production of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-γ was measured with ELISA kits. Results: Upon stimulation with OVA, the production of IL-4 and IL-5, but not IFN-γ, by PBMCs was significantly higher in infants with AD than in non-atopic controls. OVA-induced IL-5 production peaked in younger infants (2–5 months) and then decreased with age increase. In contrast, OVA-induced IL-4 production peaked at the age of 1–2. This coincided with the serum level of egg white-specific IgE (EW-IgE). There was a significant positive correlation between IL-5 production and the severity of symptoms in infants with AD, while IL-4 production significantly correlated with the serum level of EW-IgE. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that OVA-induced IL-5 production fluctuates with age in a different manner than IL-4 or EW-IgE. Our results suggest that egg contributes to the development of AD in younger infants by inducing the production of IL-5, but not IL-4.

Close Positive Correlation between the Lymphocyte Response to Hen Egg White and House Dust Mites in Infants with Atopic Dermatitis

“…We have previously shown that the amount of IL-4 produced by EW-stimulated lymphocytes is significantly correlated with the serum levels of EW-IgE in infants with AD [7]. Our results further confirm this (table 6).…”

“…After the completion of the 6-day culture, the supernatants were collected, and the amounts of IL-4 and IFN-γ were measured. Since PBMC production of IL-4 is very low [7,8], ELISA kits with a high sensitivity were used (Quantikine HS IL-4, measurable range 250-16,000 fg/ml, R&D Systems Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., USA). IFN-γ was measured with an ordinary standard ELISA kit (Quantikine IFN-γ, measurable range 7.8-1,000 pg/ml, R&D Systems Inc.).…”

“…We have previously demonstrated that lymphocyte proliferations against EW are increased in infants with AD [7]. Moreover, although the serum level of HDM-IgE was undetectable in most infants with AD, lymphocyte proliferations against HDM were already elevated in these patients [8,9].…”

Immunomodulatory Role of Staphylococcus aureus in Atopic Dermatitis

“…Epicutaneous sensitization of food allergens such as OVA with a combination of frequently used adjuvants including aluminum hydroxide, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) [18,19] have traditionally been used to induce a type 2 response [20,21]. Sensitization to OVA can induce upregulation of mRNA levels of Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, which are critical for IgE synthesis [22]. Other models using haptens [23] and calcipotriol [24][25][26] to induce Th2 responses have also been characterized [23].…”

The diagnosis and management of egg allergy

“…AD in infancy is associated with the increased production of ovalbumin-induced interleukin (IL)-5 production [38]. More than 80% of infants with egg allergy suffer from AD (Table 2).…”