TY - JOUR
T1 - Regulatory T cells in prenatal blood samples
T2 - variability with pet exposure and sensitization
AU - Wegienka, Ganesa
AU - Havstad, Suzanne
AU - Zoratti, Edward M.
AU - Woodcroft, Kimberley J.
AU - Bobbitt, Kevin R.
AU - Ownby, Dennis R.
AU - Johnson, Christine Cole
PY - 2009/7
Y1 - 2009/7
N2 - Fetal exposures have come under investigation as risk factors of early life allergic disease. In this study we aimed to examine the relationships between dog or cat exposure and naturally occurring regulatory T cells (Treg cells), thought to play an important role in immune tolerance, in pregnant women. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 204 pregnant women who were queried regarding dog and cat exposure. Treg cells (CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ lymphocytes) and allergen-specific IgE were measured in venous blood samples. Atopy was defined as allergen-specific IgE ≥0.35 kU/l reactive with common allergens including dust mite, dog, cat, Timothy grass, ragweed, Alternaria alternata, egg white or cockroach. Nonparametric Wilcoxon rank sum tests and linear regression models of log transformed Treg cell levels were used in analyses. Among women sensitized to dog, those who had a dog or cat in the home had lower Treg cell levels compared with those who had no dog or cat. However, among women not sensitized to dog, those with a dog or cat in the home had higher Treg cell levels compared with those who did not. Among women sensitized to cat, those who had a dog or cat in the home had lower Treg cell levels compared with those who had no dog or cat. Gestational age at blood draw did not affect the associations. We conclude that Treg cell levels during pregnancy vary in association with both dog and cat exposure and atopic status.
AB - Fetal exposures have come under investigation as risk factors of early life allergic disease. In this study we aimed to examine the relationships between dog or cat exposure and naturally occurring regulatory T cells (Treg cells), thought to play an important role in immune tolerance, in pregnant women. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 204 pregnant women who were queried regarding dog and cat exposure. Treg cells (CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ lymphocytes) and allergen-specific IgE were measured in venous blood samples. Atopy was defined as allergen-specific IgE ≥0.35 kU/l reactive with common allergens including dust mite, dog, cat, Timothy grass, ragweed, Alternaria alternata, egg white or cockroach. Nonparametric Wilcoxon rank sum tests and linear regression models of log transformed Treg cell levels were used in analyses. Among women sensitized to dog, those who had a dog or cat in the home had lower Treg cell levels compared with those who had no dog or cat. However, among women not sensitized to dog, those with a dog or cat in the home had higher Treg cell levels compared with those who did not. Among women sensitized to cat, those who had a dog or cat in the home had lower Treg cell levels compared with those who had no dog or cat. Gestational age at blood draw did not affect the associations. We conclude that Treg cell levels during pregnancy vary in association with both dog and cat exposure and atopic status.
KW - Immunology
KW - Pregnancy
KW - Regulatory T cells
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=67649794764&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=67649794764&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jri.2009.03.001
DO - 10.1016/j.jri.2009.03.001
M3 - Article
C2 - 19545906
AN - SCOPUS:67649794764
SN - 0165-0378
VL - 81
SP - 74
EP - 81
JO - Journal of Reproductive Immunology
JF - Journal of Reproductive Immunology
IS - 1
ER -