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Kortekaas Krohn I, Badloe FMS, Herrmann N, Maintz L, De Vriese S, Ring J, Bieber T, Gutermuth J. Immunoglobulin E autoantibodies in atopic dermatitis associate with Type-2 comorbidities and the atopic march. Allergy 2023; 78:3178-3192. [PMID: 37489049 DOI: 10.1111/all.15822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autoreactive immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to self-peptides within the epidermis have been identified in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Prevalence, concomitant diseases, patient characteristics, and risk factors of IgE autoantibody development remain elusive. We aimed to determine IgE autoantibodies in serum samples (n = 672) from well-characterized patients with AD and controls (1.2-88.9 years). METHODS Atopic dermatitis patients were sub-grouped in AD with comorbid Type-2 diseases ("AD + Type 2"; asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergy, n = 431) or "solely AD" (n = 115). Also, subjects without AD but with Type-2 diseases ("atopic controls," n = 52) and non-atopic "healthy controls" (n = 74) were included. Total proteins from primary human keratinocytes were used for the immunoassay to detect IgE autoantibodies. Values were compared to already known positive and negative serum samples. RESULTS Immunoglobulin E autoantibodies were found in 15.0% (82/546) of all analyzed AD-patients. "AD + Type 2" showed a higher prevalence (16.4%) than "solely AD" (9.6%). "Atopic controls" (9.6%) were comparable with "solely AD" patients, while 2.7% of healthy controls showed IgE autoantibodies. Of those with high levels of IgE autoantibodies, 15 out of 16 were patients with "AD + Type 2". AD patients with IgE autoantibodies were younger than those without. Patients with IgE autoreactivity also displayed higher total serum IgE levels. Factors that affected IgE autoantibody development were as follows: birth between January and June, cesarean-section and diversity of domestic pets. CONCLUSIONS Immunoglobulin E autoantibodies in AD seem to associate with the presence of atopic comorbidities and environmental factors. The potential value of IgE autoantibodies as a predictive biomarker for the course of AD, including the atopic march, needs further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge Kortekaas Krohn
- Skin Immunology & Immune Tolerance (SKIN) Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Dermatology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Fariza Mishaal Saiema Badloe
- Skin Immunology & Immune Tolerance (SKIN) Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Dermatology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nadine Herrmann
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Christine Kühne-Center for Allergy Research and Education, Davos, Switzerland
| | - Laura Maintz
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Christine Kühne-Center for Allergy Research and Education, Davos, Switzerland
| | - Shauni De Vriese
- Skin Immunology & Immune Tolerance (SKIN) Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Dermatology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Johannes Ring
- Department Dermatology and Allergy Biederstein, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Bieber
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Christine Kühne-Center for Allergy Research and Education, Davos, Switzerland
- Davos Biosciences, Davos, Switzerland
| | - Jan Gutermuth
- Skin Immunology & Immune Tolerance (SKIN) Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Dermatology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
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Kadalayil L, Alam MZ, White CH, Ghantous A, Walton E, Gruzieva O, Merid SK, Kumar A, Roy RP, Solomon O, Huen K, Eskenazi B, Rzehak P, Grote V, Langhendries JP, Verduci E, Ferre N, Gruszfeld D, Gao L, Guan W, Zeng X, Schisterman EF, Dou JF, Bakulski KM, Feinberg JI, Soomro MH, Pesce G, Baiz N, Isaevska E, Plusquin M, Vafeiadi M, Roumeliotaki T, Langie SAS, Standaert A, Allard C, Perron P, Bouchard L, van Meel ER, Felix JF, Jaddoe VWV, Yousefi PD, Ramlau-Hansen CH, Relton CL, Tobi EW, Starling AP, Yang IV, Llambrich M, Santorelli G, Lepeule J, Salas LA, Bustamante M, Ewart SL, Zhang H, Karmaus W, Röder S, Zenclussen AC, Jin J, Nystad W, Page CM, Magnus M, Jima DD, Hoyo C, Maguire RL, Kvist T, Czamara D, Räikkönen K, Gong T, Ullemar V, Rifas-Shiman SL, Oken E, Almqvist C, Karlsson R, Lahti J, Murphy SK, Håberg SE, London S, Herberth G, Arshad H, Sunyer J, Grazuleviciene R, Dabelea D, Steegers-Theunissen RPM, Nohr EA, Sørensen TIA, Duijts L, Hivert MF, Nelen V, Popovic M, Kogevinas M, Nawrot TS, Herceg Z, Annesi-Maesano I, Fallin MD, Yeung E, Breton CV, Koletzko B, Holland N, Wiemels JL, Melén E, Sharp GC, Silver MJ, Rezwan FI, Holloway JW. Analysis of DNA methylation at birth and in childhood reveals changes associated with season of birth and latitude. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:148. [PMID: 37697338 PMCID: PMC10496224 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01542-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Seasonal variations in environmental exposures at birth or during gestation are associated with numerous adult traits and health outcomes later in life. Whether DNA methylation (DNAm) plays a role in the molecular mechanisms underlying the associations between birth season and lifelong phenotypes remains unclear. METHODS We carried out epigenome-wide meta-analyses within the Pregnancy And Childhood Epigenetic Consortium to identify associations of DNAm with birth season, both at differentially methylated probes (DMPs) and regions (DMRs). Associations were examined at two time points: at birth (21 cohorts, N = 9358) and in children aged 1-11 years (12 cohorts, N = 3610). We conducted meta-analyses to assess the impact of latitude on birth season-specific associations at both time points. RESULTS We identified associations between birth season and DNAm (False Discovery Rate-adjusted p values < 0.05) at two CpGs at birth (winter-born) and four in the childhood (summer-born) analyses when compared to children born in autumn. Furthermore, we identified twenty-six differentially methylated regions (DMR) at birth (winter-born: 8, spring-born: 15, summer-born: 3) and thirty-two in childhood (winter-born: 12, spring and summer: 10 each) meta-analyses with few overlapping DMRs between the birth seasons or the two time points. The DMRs were associated with genes of known functions in tumorigenesis, psychiatric/neurological disorders, inflammation, or immunity, amongst others. Latitude-stratified meta-analyses [higher (≥ 50°N), lower (< 50°N, northern hemisphere only)] revealed differences in associations between birth season and DNAm by birth latitude. DMR analysis implicated genes with previously reported links to schizophrenia (LAX1), skin disorders (PSORS1C, LTB4R), and airway inflammation including asthma (LTB4R), present only at birth in the higher latitudes (≥ 50°N). CONCLUSIONS In this large epigenome-wide meta-analysis study, we provide evidence for (i) associations between DNAm and season of birth that are unique for the seasons of the year (temporal effect) and (ii) latitude-dependent variations in the seasonal associations (spatial effect). DNAm could play a role in the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of birth season on adult health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Latha Kadalayil
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
| | - Md Zahangir Alam
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Cory Haley White
- Merck Exploratory Science Center in Cambridge MA, Merck Research Laboratories, Cambridge, MA, 02141, USA
| | - Akram Ghantous
- Epigenomics and Mechanisms Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Esther Walton
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Olena Gruzieva
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Simon Kebede Merid
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ashish Kumar
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ritu P Roy
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
- Computational Biology and Informatics Core, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Olivia Solomon
- Children's Environmental Health Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Karen Huen
- Children's Environmental Health Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Brenda Eskenazi
- Children's Environmental Health Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Peter Rzehak
- Division of Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Veit Grote
- Division of Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | | | - Elvira Verduci
- Department of Pediatrics, Vittore Buzzi Children Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Natalia Ferre
- Pediatric Nutrition and Human Development Research Unit, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, IISPV, Reus, Spain
| | - Darek Gruszfeld
- Neonatal Department, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Lu Gao
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Weihua Guan
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, A460 Mayo Building, MMC 303, 420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | | | - Enrique F Schisterman
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - John F Dou
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Kelly M Bakulski
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Jason I Feinberg
- Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Munawar Hussain Soomro
- Sorbonne Université and INSERM, Epidemiology of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases Department, Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health (IPLESP UMRS 1136), Saint-Antoine Medical School, Paris Cedex 12, France
- Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, SMBB Medical University, Larkana, Pakistan
| | - Giancarlo Pesce
- Sorbonne Université and INSERM, Epidemiology of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases Department, Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health (IPLESP UMRS 1136), Saint-Antoine Medical School, Paris Cedex 12, France
| | - Nour Baiz
- Institut Desbrest de Santé Publique (IDESP), INSERM and Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Elena Isaevska
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, CPO Piemonte, Italy
| | - Michelle Plusquin
- Center for Environmental Sciences, University of Hasselt, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Marina Vafeiadi
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Theano Roumeliotaki
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Sabine A S Langie
- Unit Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
- Faculty of Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, Limburg, The Netherlands
| | - Arnout Standaert
- Unit Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Catherine Allard
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Patrice Perron
- Department of Medicine, Universite de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Luigi Bouchard
- Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Universite de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
- Clinical Department of Laboratory Medicine, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux (CIUSSS) du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean - Hôpital de Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, Canada
| | - Evelien R van Meel
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Janine F Felix
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent W V Jaddoe
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paul D Yousefi
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Caroline L Relton
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Elmar W Tobi
- Periconceptional Epidemiology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anne P Starling
- Life Course Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ivana V Yang
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Division of Biomedical Informatics and Personalized Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Center for Genes, Environment and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Maria Llambrich
- Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Johanna Lepeule
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, University Grenoble-Alpes, INSERM, CNRS, Grenoble, France
| | - Lucas A Salas
- Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, USA
- Center for Molecular Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, USA
- Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Mariona Bustamante
- Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Susan L Ewart
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Hongmei Zhang
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, USA
| | - Wilfried Karmaus
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, USA
| | - Stefan Röder
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ana Claudia Zenclussen
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jianping Jin
- 2530 Meridian Pkwy, Suite 200, Durham, NC 27713, USA
| | - Wenche Nystad
- Department of Chronic Diseases and Ageing, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Christian M Page
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Section for Statistics and Data Science, Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Maria Magnus
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Dereje D Jima
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Cathrine Hoyo
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Rachel L Maguire
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Tuomas Kvist
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Darina Czamara
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max-Planck-Institute of Psychiatry, 80804, Munich, Germany
| | - Katri Räikkönen
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tong Gong
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vilhelmina Ullemar
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sheryl L Rifas-Shiman
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, USA
| | - Emily Oken
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, USA
| | - Catarina Almqvist
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Pediatric Allergy and Pulmonology Unit at Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Robert Karlsson
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jari Lahti
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Susan K Murphy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Siri E Håberg
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stephanie London
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, RTP, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Gunda Herberth
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hasan Arshad
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- David Hide Asthma and Allergy Research Centre, Isle of Wight, UK
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
| | - Jordi Sunyer
- Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Regina Grazuleviciene
- Department of Environmental Science, Vytautas Magnus University, 44248, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Dana Dabelea
- Life Course Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Régine P M Steegers-Theunissen
- Periconceptional Epidemiology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen A Nohr
- Department of Clinical Research, Odense Universitetshospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Thorkild I A Sørensen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Liesbeth Duijts
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marie-France Hivert
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, USA
- Diabetes Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vera Nelen
- Provincial Institute for Hygiene, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Maja Popovic
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, CPO Piemonte, Italy
| | | | - Tim S Nawrot
- Center for Environmental Sciences, University of Hasselt, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven University, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Zdenko Herceg
- Epigenomics and Mechanisms Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Isabella Annesi-Maesano
- Institut Desbrest de Santé Publique (IDESP), INSERM and Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - M Daniele Fallin
- Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Edwina Yeung
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Population Health Research, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6710B Rockledge Dr, MSC 7004, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carrie V Breton
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Berthold Koletzko
- Division of Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Nina Holland
- Children's Environmental Health Laboratory, CERCH, Berkeley Public Health, University of California, 2121 Berkeley Way #5216, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Joseph L Wiemels
- Center for Genetic Epidemiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Erik Melén
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gemma C Sharp
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Matt J Silver
- Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, The Gambia
- Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Faisal I Rezwan
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
- Department of Computer Science, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, UK
| | - John W Holloway
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK.
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK.
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Tsuchida A, Itazawa T, Matsumura K, Yokomichi H, Yamagata Z, Adachi Y, Inadera H. Season of birth and atopic dermatitis in early infancy: results from the Japan Environment and Children's Study. BMC Pediatr 2023; 23:78. [PMID: 36792997 PMCID: PMC9930333 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-023-03878-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atopic dermatitis (AD) is reported to be more prevalent in children who were born in autumn than in spring. Here, we investigated how early the association between season of birth and eczema or AD can be observed in the postnatal period. We also examined whether specific prevalence outcomes for infant eczema and AD differed according to sex and maternal history of allergic disease in a large Japanese cohort. METHODS Using data of 81,615 infants from the Japan Environment and Children's Study, we examined the associations of birth month or season with four different outcomes-eczema at 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year of age and physician-diagnosed AD up to 1 year of age-using multiple logistic regression analysis. We also analyzed the effect of maternal history of allergic disease on these outcomes stratified by infant sex. RESULTS The risk of eczema at 1 month was highest in infants born in July. In contrast, infants born in autumn had higher risks of eczema at 6 months (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.10-2.30) and at 1 year (aOR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02-1.14) and of physician-diagnosed AD up to 1 year of age (aOR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.20-1.47) compared with infants born in spring. Eczema and AD were more prevalent in infants with a maternal history of allergic disease, particularly boys. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the prevalence of AD is associated with the season of observation. Eczema is prevalent in infants born in autumn, and this phenomenon was observed in infants as young as 6 months old. The risk associated with being born in autumn was particularly clear in boys with a maternal history of allergic disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION UMIN000030786.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Tsuchida
- grid.267346.20000 0001 2171 836XDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani Toyama 930-0194, Toyama, Japan ,grid.267346.20000 0001 2171 836XToyama Regional Center for Japan Environment and Children’s Study, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Toshiko Itazawa
- grid.410802.f0000 0001 2216 2631Department of Pediatrics, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Kenta Matsumura
- grid.267346.20000 0001 2171 836XDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani Toyama 930-0194, Toyama, Japan ,grid.267346.20000 0001 2171 836XToyama Regional Center for Japan Environment and Children’s Study, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yokomichi
- grid.267500.60000 0001 0291 3581Department of Health Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Zentaro Yamagata
- grid.267500.60000 0001 0291 3581Department of Health Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan ,grid.267500.60000 0001 0291 3581Koshin Regional Center for Japan Environment and Children’s Study, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Yuichi Adachi
- grid.267346.20000 0001 2171 836XDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Hidekuni Inadera
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani Toyama 930-0194, Toyama, Japan. .,Toyama Regional Center for Japan Environment and Children's Study, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.
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Cytokine production by newborns: influence of sex and season of birth. Pediatr Res 2023; 93:526-534. [PMID: 35945266 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-02153-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune signatures at birth could be associated with clinical outcomes and will improve our understanding of immunity prenatal programming. METHODS Data come from 235 newborns from the cohort study NELA. Production of cytokines was determined using Luminex technology. Associations between cytokine concentrations with sex and season of birth were examined by multivariate regression models. RESULTS Umbilical cord blood cells produced high levels of inflammatory cytokines, moderate levels of Th1/Th2/Tr-related cytokines, and low levels of Th17 cytokines. Compared to females, male newborn cells secreted higher levels of Th2 (peptidoglycan-stimulated IL-13, odds ratio [OR] = 2.26; 95% CI 1.18, 4.31, p value = 0.013) and Th17 (polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid-stimulated IL-23, OR = 1.82, 95% CI 1.01, 3.27, p value = 0.046) and lower levels of Th1 (olive-stimulated IL-2, OR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.31, 0.99, p value = 0.047) cytokines. Also, children born during warm seasons showed decreased innate cytokine response to peptidoglycan (IL-6, OR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.15, 0.52, p value < 0.001) compared to those born in cold seasons; meanwhile, adaptive immunity cytokines were more frequently secreted by children born during warm seasons in response to allergen extracts (IL-10, OR = 2.11, 95% CI 1.12, 3.96, p value = 0.020; IL-17F, OR = 3.31, 95% CI 1.83, 5.99, p value < 0.001). CONCLUSION Newborns showed specific cytokines signatures influenced by sex and season of birth. IMPACT There is a limited number of population-based studies on the immune status at birth and the influence of prenatal and perinatal factors on it. Characterization of cytokine signatures at birth related to the prenatal environment could improve our understanding of immunity prenatal programming. Newborns exhibit specific unstimulated and stimulated cytokine signatures influenced by sex and season of birth. Unstimulated and stimulated cytokine signatures in newborns may be associated with the development of related clinical outcomes later in life.
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Goldberg S, Picard E, Joseph L, Kedem R, Sommer A, Tzur D, Cohen S. Being overweight and born in the spring are associated with an increased risk for rhinitis. Acta Paediatr 2022; 111:2384-2389. [PMID: 36052574 PMCID: PMC9826387 DOI: 10.1111/apa.16532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
AIM To explore the relationship between the season of birth and the prevalence of recurrent or chronic rhinitis (rhinitis). METHODS The medical records of consecutive 17-year-old conscripts to the Israeli army were reviewed. We compared the prevalence of rhinitis between children born during different seasons. Multivariate analysis was performed with additional variables. RESULTS The prevalence of rhinitis among the 1.1 million recruits was 7.1% in males and 5.3% in females. The association between birth season and the prevalence of rhinitis was highly significant (p < 0.001 for both genders). Spring was the birth season with the highest prevalence of rhinitis (7.4% in males and 5.5% in females). Males born in the winter and females born in the autumn had the lowest prevalence of rhinitis (6.7%, and 5.2% respectively). There was an increased odds ratio for rhinitis among those with a body mass index above 25, higher cognitive score and maternal birth country out of Israel or Africa. CONCLUSIONS There was an increased risk of rhinitis among young Israeli adults who were born in the spring, were overweight and had a higher cognitive-score. Family planning to avoid a spring birth and preventing overweight may reduce the risk of chronic rhinitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shmuel Goldberg
- Institute of Pediatric Pulmonary MedicineShaare Zedek Medical CenterFaculty of MedicineHebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Elie Picard
- Institute of Pediatric Pulmonary MedicineShaare Zedek Medical CenterFaculty of MedicineHebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Leon Joseph
- Institute of Pediatric Pulmonary MedicineShaare Zedek Medical CenterFaculty of MedicineHebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Ron Kedem
- Medical Corps, Israel Defense ForcesTel HashomerIsrael
| | - Adir Sommer
- Medical Corps, Israel Defense ForcesTel HashomerIsrael
| | - Dorit Tzur
- Medical Corps, Israel Defense ForcesTel HashomerIsrael
| | - Shlomo Cohen
- Institute of Pediatric Pulmonary MedicineShaare Zedek Medical CenterFaculty of MedicineHebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
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Davis GE, Davis MJ, Lowell WE. The effect of ultraviolet radiation on the incidence and severity of major mental illness using birth month, birth year, and sunspot data. Heliyon 2022; 8:e09197. [PMID: 35368522 PMCID: PMC8969152 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and objectives The evaluation of the severity of patients afflicted with major mental illness (MMI) has been problematic because of confounding variables and genetic variability. There have been multiple studies that suggest several human diseases, especially schizophrenia, are predisposed to be born in certain months or seasons. This observation implied an epigenetic effect of sunlight, likely ultraviolet radiation (UVR), which is damaging to DNA, especially in an embryo. This paper outlines a method to evaluate the severity of schizophrenia (SZ), bipolar disorder (BPD), and schizoaffective disorder (SZ-AFF) using the month/year of birth of those affected compared to the month/year of birth of the general population (GP). Relevance Our previous research found that more intense UVR (equal to or greater than 90 sunspot number (SSN)) had a negative effect on the average human lifespan. Also, human birth rates vary in frequency by month of birth reflecting variables like availability of food, sunlight, and other unknown epigenetic factors. We wanted to see if the patient month of birth varied from the average birth months of the general population and if UVR has an epigenetic effect promoting these diseases. Methods We obtained the month and year of birth of 1,233 patients admitted over a 15-year period to Maine's largest state psychiatric hospital and counted the months of birth for each diagnosis of SZ, BPD, and SZ-AFF, and compared these results to the general population's birth months of 4,265,555 persons from U. S. Census Year 2006. The number of patients in each month was normalized to August and compared with the normalized birth months of the general population (GP). Plots of the normalized months were considered rates of change (e.g., derivatives) and their respective integrals gave domains of each mental illness relative to the GP. Normalizing the GP to unity was then related to the factor 1.28, e.g., 28% more entropy, deduced from the Sun's fractal dimension imprinted on biological organisms. Results The percent of patients meeting our criterion for severity: SZ = 27%; BPD = 26%; SZ-AFF = 100%. Conclusions High UVR intensity or a rapid increase in UVR in early gestation are likely epigenetic triggers of major mental illness. BPD is more epigenetically affected than SZ or SZ-AFF disorders. We found that 52% of 1,233 patients comprised the core function of a tertiary-care psychiatric hospital. Also, mental illness exacerbated when the median SSN doubled. This work also validates the Kraeplinian dichotomy. What is new in this research This paper offers a new paradigm for evaluating the severity of MMI and supports significant epigenetic effects from UVR.
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Affiliation(s)
- George E Davis
- Riverview Psychiatric Center, 250 Arsenal Street, State House Station #11, Augusta, Maine, 04333-0011, USA
| | - Matthew J Davis
- Riverview Psychiatric Center, 250 Arsenal Street, State House Station #11, Augusta, Maine, 04333-0011, USA
| | - Walter E Lowell
- Riverview Psychiatric Center, 250 Arsenal Street, State House Station #11, Augusta, Maine, 04333-0011, USA
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Dzhambov AM, Lercher P, Rüdisser J, Browning MHEM, Markevych I. Allergic symptoms in association with naturalness, greenness, and greyness: A cross-sectional study in schoolchildren in the Alps. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 198:110456. [PMID: 33188758 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Greenness may protect from or contribute to allergy risk by influencing air pollution and human-microbe interactions. However, existing research on the issue is heterogeneous and produced conflicting results. Less in known about the effects of greyness. This study investigated the association between different characteristics of residential and school environment and allergic symptoms in schoolchildren. METHODS The present cross-sectional survey was undertaken in 2004/2005 among 1251 schoolchildren (8-12 years old) in several alpine valleys in Austria and Italy. Children's mothers completed a questionnaire that asked about allergic symptoms (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire), sociodemographic information, lifestyle, perinatal data, and housing conditions. We constructed four aggregate outcome variables: current asthma symptoms, ever asthma symptoms, ever allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms, and ever eczema symptoms. We employed well-known greenness and greyness exposure indicators (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, tree canopy cover, agricultural cover, imperviousness cover, and industrial cover), as well as an alternative naturalness index (Distance to Nature, D2N). Adjusted logistic regressions were used to explore associations between each exposure-outcome pair. Air pollution (NO2), traffic noise and time spent outdoors were tested as potential mediators in causal mediation analysis. RESULTS Decrease in naturalness in a 500-m buffer around the home was associated with higher prevalence of AR symptoms. Associations with asthma symptoms were in the same direction but marginally significant. Residential NDVI and tree cover were marginally associated with lower prevalence of asthma and AR symptoms. Having a domestic garden was associated with lower prevalence of asthma symptoms. School greenness in a 100-m buffer was associated with lower prevalence of AR symptoms. Residential greyness was associated with higher prevalence of AR and asthma symptoms. We observed stronger associations for greenness and greyness in non-movers and in children without a family history of allergies. Mediation by NO2 and time spent outdoors was present in some of the exposure-outcome pairs. CONCLUSIONS Schoolchildren residing in places with lower naturalness and higher greyness may be more likely to have allergic rhinitis and possibly asthma. Considering more comprehensive indicators than greenness and greyness and conducting research in children without a family history of allergic diseases may be key to better understanding who can profit from natural landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel M Dzhambov
- Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Institute for Highway Engineering and Transport Planning, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria.
| | - Peter Lercher
- Institute for Highway Engineering and Transport Planning, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Matthew H E M Browning
- Department of Parks , Recreation, and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, USA
| | - Iana Markevych
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
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Kuwabara Y, Nii R, Tanaka K, Ishii E, Nagao M, Fujisawa T. Season of birth is associated with increased risk of atopic dermatitis in Japanese infants: a retrospective cohort study. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol 2020; 16:44. [PMID: 32514275 PMCID: PMC7260778 DOI: 10.1186/s13223-020-00443-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Several epidemiological studies have examined the possibility of a relationship between season of birth and atopic dermatitis (AD) and food allergy (FA), yet their results are contradictory. We investigated the association between season of birth and risk of AD and FA in Japanese infants. Methods Study subjects were 612 newborn infants born at a single obstetric/pediatric clinic without perinatal diseases. Season of birth was classified as spring (March-May), summer (June-August), autumn (September-November) or winter (December-February). AD was diagnosed according to the United Kingdom Working Party's criteria. FA was defined as present if there was a history of immediate allergic symptoms within 2 h after ingestion of a food. Specific IgE to the corresponding food was also assessed to support the diagnosis. We assessed the association between season of birth and risk of AD and FA using Cox proportional hazard models. Results We identified a total of 365 cases of AD occurring during 3659 person-months of follow-up. Compared with summer birth, autumn, winter, and spring birth were significantly positively associated with the risk of AD: adjusted HRs (95% CIs) were 2.67 (1.96-3.63), 1.42 (1.03-1.95), and 1.43 (1.04-1.98), respectively. We identified a total of 23 cases of physician-diagnosed FA occurring during 6815 person-months of follow-up. Conclusions Being born in the summer is associated with a lower risk of AD compared to other seasons of birth. The low incidence of FA in our cohort group made it difficult to establish a valid association between FA and season of birth as the statistical power was low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Kuwabara
- Department of Pediatrics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime 791-0295 Japan.,Allergy Center and Institute for Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Mie National Hospital, Osato-kubota, Tsu, Mie 514-0125 Japan
| | - Ritsue Nii
- Department of Pediatrics, Shiroko Clinic, Minami-ejima, Suzuka, Mie 510-0235 Japan
| | - Keiko Tanaka
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime 791-0295 Japan
| | - Eiichi Ishii
- Department of Pediatrics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime 791-0295 Japan
| | - Mizuho Nagao
- Allergy Center and Institute for Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Mie National Hospital, Osato-kubota, Tsu, Mie 514-0125 Japan
| | - Takao Fujisawa
- Allergy Center and Institute for Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Mie National Hospital, Osato-kubota, Tsu, Mie 514-0125 Japan
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Occurrence of pollen season at the end of the first trimester predicts clinical atopic diseases in the offspring: A Finnish population-based study. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2020; 225:113452. [PMID: 32006881 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between potential exposure to different pollen concentrations at the 11th fetal week and subsequent clinical atopic diseases. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING Parents of 1- to 4-year-old children (N = 3035) returned a questionnaire regarding physician-diagnosed atopic diseases. The children were born between 2001 and 2005 in the province of South Karelia, Finland. Results of allergy tests were collected from patient records in the area. RESULTS The prevalence of atopic diseases with sensitisation was higher in children whose 11th fetal week occurred during pollen rather than non-pollen season: atopic eczema 6.3% vs. 4.3% (adjusted odds ratio, aOR 1.58, 95% CI 1.10─2.28), food allergy 5.7% vs. 3.9% (1.63; 1.12─2.38), respiratory allergy or asthma 3.7% vs. 2.2% (2.03; 1.24─3.33) and any atopic diseases 7.4% vs. 5.5% (1.48; 1.07─2.05), respectively. Respectively, the prevalence was higher in the children exposed to high rather than low tree pollen concentrations (>1000 vs. <10 particles/m3) at the 11th fetal week: 12.1% vs. 4.4% (3.35; 1.89─5.95), 12.1% vs. 3.9% (3.77; 2.11─6.72), 4.7% vs. 2.5% (2.95; 1.21─7.20) and 14.0% vs. 5.7% (3.15; 1.86─5.35). CONCLUSION Coincidence of potential exposure to high tree pollen concentrations at the 11th fetal week is associated with subsequent clinical atopic diseases with sensitisation.
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Lambert KA, Lodge C, Lowe AJ, Prendergast LA, Thomas PS, Bennett CM, Abramson MJ, Dharmage SC, Erbas B. Pollen exposure at birth and adolescent lung function, and modification by residential greenness. Allergy 2019; 74:1977-1984. [PMID: 30934123 DOI: 10.1111/all.13803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to high levels of pollen in infancy is a risk factor for allergic respiratory diseases in later childhood, but effects on lung function are not fully understood. We aim to examine associations between grass pollen exposure in the first months of life and lung function at 12 and 18 years, and explore potential modification. METHODS Using the Melbourne Atopy Cohort Study, a birth cohort of children with a family history of allergic diseases, we modeled the association between cumulative grass pollen exposure up to 3 months after birth, on FEV1 , FVC, and FEV1 /FVC ratio at 12 and 18 years. We also assessed modifying effects of residential greenness levels (derived from satellite imagery), asthma, and early life sensitization to ryegrass. RESULTS Grass pollen exposure in the first 7 days was associated with a reduction in FEV1 (-15.5 mL; 95% CI: -27.6, -3.3 per doubling of pollen count) and FVC (-20.8 mL; -35.4, -6.1) at 12 years, but not at 18 years. Increase in cumulative grass pollen exposure up to 3 months was negatively associated with FVC at 12 and 18. Exposure to high residential greenness modified the association at 18 years. CONCLUSION Early exposure to grass pollen was associated with decreased lung function in children and adolescents. Targeted interventions for pollen avoidance strategies that take into account local topography could be implemented alongside other clinical interventions such as immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina A. Lambert
- Department of Public Health, School of Psychology and Public Health La Trobe University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Caroline Lodge
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population and Global Health The University of Melbourne Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Adrian J. Lowe
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population and Global Health The University of Melbourne Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Luke A. Prendergast
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences La Trobe University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Paul S. Thomas
- Prince of Wales' Hospital Clinical School and School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine University of New South Wales Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Catherine M. Bennett
- Centre for Population Health Research Deakin University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Michael J. Abramson
- School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Shyamali C. Dharmage
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population and Global Health The University of Melbourne Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Bircan Erbas
- Department of Public Health, School of Psychology and Public Health La Trobe University Melbourne Victoria Australia
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Björkander S, Hallberg J, Persson J, Lilja G, Nilsson C, Sverremark‐Ekström E. The allergic phenotype during the first 10 years of life in a prospective cohort. IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE 2019; 7:170-182. [PMID: 31207167 PMCID: PMC6688083 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Background Heredity and environmental parameters jointly affect allergy development. Here, we used a Swedish prospective cohort to study the influence of heredity and factors usually associated with allergic disease and the development of allergic manifestations in combination with immunoglobulin E (IgE) sensitization at four different time points until 10 years of age. Methods Parents‐to‐be were characterized concerning allergy and their children (n = 281) were divided based on allergic heredity and followed from birth and clinically examined for IgE‐associated allergic symptoms until 10 years of age. The relation between allergy and early‐life parameters was analyzed by logistic regression. Group‐wise comparisons were made by nonparametrical tests. Results Early life eczema and/or asthma in combination with IgE sensitization, was a strong indicator of allergy at a later time point. Further, the early occurrence of multiple allergic symptoms among IgE‐sensitized children predisposed for a more complex allergic phenotype at later ages, independently of allergic heredity. At 10 years of age, allergic children had higher fractional exhaled nitrogen oxide (FeNO) levels, regardless of asthma, and FeNO levels were also influenced by heredity. Birth season was strongly associated with allergy development, but only in children with two allergic parents. Conclusion Allergic eczema/asthma in early life, being born during the autumn/winter, having multiple allergic symptoms and two allergic parents were all strong predictors for having allergic diseases at 5 and 10 years of age. However, the allergic march seems to be independent of heredity, as IgE‐mediated allergies follow the same trajectories in children with and without allergic heredity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Björkander
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner‐Gren InstituteStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
| | - Jenny Hallberg
- Department of Clinical Science and EducationSödersjukhuset, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Sachs’ Children and Youth HospitalStockholmSweden
- Institute for Environmental Medicine, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | | | - Gunnar Lilja
- Department of Clinical Science and EducationSödersjukhuset, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Sachs’ Children and Youth HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Caroline Nilsson
- Department of Clinical Science and EducationSödersjukhuset, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Sachs’ Children and Youth HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Eva Sverremark‐Ekström
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner‐Gren InstituteStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
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Matsui T, Tanaka K, Yamashita H, Saneyasu KI, Tanaka H, Takasato Y, Sugiura S, Inagaki N, Ito K. Food allergy is linked to season of birth, sun exposure, and vitamin D deficiency. Allergol Int 2019; 68:172-177. [PMID: 30670337 DOI: 10.1016/j.alit.2018.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The season of birth and ultraviolet B exposure have been related to the occurrence of food allergy. The levels of vitamin D produced from skin by ultraviolet B exposure might reflect this relationship. Vitamin D is known to induce antimicrobial peptides, protect intestinal flora, enhance the gut epithelial barrier, suppress mast cell activation and IgE synthesis from B cells, and increase the number of tolerogenic dendritic cells and IL-10-producing regulatory T cells. Vitamin D deficiency has been shown to exacerbate sensitization and allergic symptoms in a murine model of food allergy. However, in clinical situations, contradictory observations have been reported regarding the relationship between food allergy and vitamin D deficiency/supplementation. In this review, we have explored the links between food allergy and vitamin D levels. One explanation for the discrepant findings is confounding factors such as race, age, residency, skin color, and epigenetic changes that contribute to vitamin D levels. In addition, the season of birth influences the development of atopic dermatitis, which could lead to food sensitization. Finally, ultraviolet radiation could lead to regulatory T cell expansion and immunosuppression, irrespective of vitamin D status. Based on our current understanding, we believe that correction of vitamin D deficiency by supplementation, appropriate skin care, and sufficient ultraviolet radiation exposure could alter the prognosis of food allergy. To identify potential treatment strategies for food allergy, it is essential to gain a better understanding of the appropriate levels of vitamin D and ultraviolet radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teruaki Matsui
- Department of Allergy, Aichi Children's Health and Medical Center, Aichi, Japan.
| | - Kajiyo Tanaka
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Nagoya University of Arts and Sciences, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Yamashita
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Bioactive Molecules, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan; United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Saneyasu
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Bioactive Molecules, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Tanaka
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Bioactive Molecules, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan; United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Takasato
- Department of Allergy, Aichi Children's Health and Medical Center, Aichi, Japan
| | - Shiro Sugiura
- Department of Allergy, Aichi Children's Health and Medical Center, Aichi, Japan
| | - Naoki Inagaki
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Bioactive Molecules, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan; United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Komei Ito
- Department of Allergy, Aichi Children's Health and Medical Center, Aichi, Japan
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Nguyen GH, Andersen LK, Davis MDP. Climate change and atopic dermatitis: is there a link? Int J Dermatol 2018; 58:279-282. [PMID: 29873062 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.14016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease with a growing health concern, because of its high prevalence and associated low quality of life. The etiology of AD is multifactorial with interaction between various factors such as genetic predisposition, immune, and importantly, environmental factors. Since climate change is associated with a profound shift in environmental factors, we suggest that AD is being influenced by climate change. This review highlights the effects of ultraviolet light, temperature, humidity, pollens, air pollutants, and their interaction between them contributing to the epidemiology and pathophysiology of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giang Huong Nguyen
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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Alfimova MV, Golimbet VE, Korovaitseva GI, Lezheiko TV, Kondrat'ev NV, Gabaeva MV. [Effect of cytokine genes and season of birth on personality]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2018; 117:82-87. [PMID: 29053126 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro20171179182-87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the interaction effects of season of birth and immune system genes on the personality traits 'Novelty seeking' (NS) and 'Self-directedness' (SD). Based on results on an influence of the immune system on the brain processes, the authors hypothesized that the interaction of immune system genes and season of birth, which is relevant for immune phenotype, can contribute to the development of personality traits. MATERIAL AND METHODS NS and SD were measured in 336 healthy volunteers, aged from 16 to 67 years, using the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI-125). IL1B C3954T, IL4 C-589T, IL13 C1112T and TNFA G-308A polymorphisms were genotyped. RESULTS An interaction effect of IL4 C-589T and season of birth on the personality traits was found (F2,322=6.03, pcorr=0.011, η2=0.04). Carriers of the minor allele T, who were born in winter, had lower NS and higher SD. There was a nominal main effect of genotype on SD (F=5.44, p=0.020) as well, with higher SD scores in carriers of the allele T compared to the CC genotype. CONCLUSION The results suggest that the etiology of personality and immune characteristics can share common genetic elements including IL-4.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - M V Gabaeva
- Mental Health Research Center, Moscow, Russia
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Knaysi G, Smith AR, Wilson JM, Wisniewski JA. The Skin as a Route of Allergen Exposure: Part II. Allergens and Role of the Microbiome and Environmental Exposures. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2017; 17:7. [PMID: 28210979 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-017-0675-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This second part of the article aims to highlight recent contributions in the literature that enhance our understanding of the cutaneous immune response to allergen. RECENT FINDINGS Several properties of allergens facilitate barrier disruption and cutaneous sensitization. There is a strong epidemiologic relationship between the microbiome, both the gut and skin, and atopic dermatitis (AD). The mechanisms connecting these two entities remain enigmatic; however, recent murine models show that commensal skin bacteria play an active role in supporting skin barrier homeostasis and defense against microbial penetration. Likewise, the association between the lack of colonization with Staph species and AD development suggests a potentially functional role for these organisms in regulating the skin barrier and response to environmental allergens. In undisrupted skin, evidence suggests that the cutaneous route may promote allergen tolerance. Properties of environmental allergens and commensal bacteria add to the complex landscape of skin immunity. Further investigation is needed to elucidate how these properties regulate the cutaneous immune response to allergen.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Knaysi
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
- Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, 1 Rope Ferry Road, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Anna R Smith
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Wilson
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Julia A Wisniewski
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
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Borsi JP. Hypothesis-Free Search for Connections between Birth Month and Disease Prevalence in Large, Geographically Varied Cohorts. AMIA ... ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM PROCEEDINGS. AMIA SYMPOSIUM 2017; 2016:319-325. [PMID: 28269826 PMCID: PMC5333224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We have sought to replicate and extend the Season-wide Association Study (SeaWAS) of Boland, et al.1 in identifying birth month-disease associations from electronic health records (EHRs). We used methodology similar to that implemented by Boland on three geographically distinct cohorts, for a total of 11.8 million individuals derived from multiple data sources. We were able to identify eleven out of sixteen literature-supported birth month associations as compared to seven of sixteen for SeaWAS. Of the nine novel cardiovascular birth month associations discovered by SeaWAS, we were able to replicate four. None of the novel non-cardiovascular associations discovered by SeaWAS emerged as significant relations in our study. We identified thirty birth month disease associations not previously reported; of those, only six associations were validated in more than one cohort. These results suggest that differences in cohort composition and location can cause consequential variation in results of hypothesis-free searches.
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Lockett GA, Soto-Ramírez N, Ray MA, Everson TM, Xu CJ, Patil VK, Terry W, Kaushal A, Rezwan FI, Ewart SL, Gehring U, Postma DS, Koppelman GH, Arshad SH, Zhang H, Karmaus W, Holloway JW. Association of season of birth with DNA methylation and allergic disease. Allergy 2016; 71:1314-24. [PMID: 26973132 PMCID: PMC5639882 DOI: 10.1111/all.12882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Season of birth influences allergy risk; however, the biological mechanisms underlying this observation are unclear. The environment affects DNA methylation, with potentially long-lasting effects on gene expression and disease. This study examined whether DNA methylation could underlie the association between season of birth and allergy. METHODS In a subset of 18-year-old participants from the Isle of Wight (IoW) birth cohort (n = 367), the risks of birth season on allergic outcomes were estimated. Whole blood epigenome-wide DNA methylation was measured, and season-associated CpGs detected using a training-and-testing-based technique. Validation method examined the 8-year-old Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy (PIAMA) cohort. The relationships between DNA methylation, season of birth and allergy were examined. CpGs were analysed in IoW third-generation cohort newborns. RESULTS Autumn birth increased risk of eczema, relative to spring birth. Methylation at 92 CpGs showed association with season of birth in the epigenome-wide association study. In validation, significantly more CpGs had the same directionality than expected by chance, and four were statistically significant. Season-associated methylation was enriched among networks relating to development, the cell cycle and apoptosis. Twenty CpGs were nominally associated with allergic outcomes. Two CpGs were marginally on the causal pathway to allergy. Season-associated methylation was largely absent in newborns, suggesting it arises post-natally. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that DNA methylation in adulthood is associated with season of birth, supporting the hypothesis that DNA methylation could mechanistically underlie the effect of season of birth on allergy, although other mechanisms are also likely to be involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle A. Lockett
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Nelís Soto-Ramírez
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Meredith A. Ray
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Todd M. Everson
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Cheng-Jian Xu
- Department of Pulmonology, GRIAC Research Institute, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Genetics, GRIAC Research Institute, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Veeresh K. Patil
- The David Hide Asthma and Allergy Research Centre, Isle of Wight, UK
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - William Terry
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Akhilesh Kaushal
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Faisal I. Rezwan
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Susan L. Ewart
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Ulrike Gehring
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Dirkje S. Postma
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine and Tuberculosis, GRIAC Research Institute, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard H. Koppelman
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Pediatric Allergology, GRIAC Research Institute, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children’s Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - S. Hasan Arshad
- The David Hide Asthma and Allergy Research Centre, Isle of Wight, UK
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Hongmei Zhang
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Wilfried Karmaus
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - John W. Holloway
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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18
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Egeberg A, Andersen YMF, Gislason G, Skov L, Thyssen JP. Neonatal risk factors of atopic dermatitis in Denmark - Results from a nationwide register-based study. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2016; 27:368-74. [PMID: 26950896 DOI: 10.1111/pai.12560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition with a multifactorial etiopathogenesis. Studies have suggested that several perinatal factors may influence the risk of AD in early childhood. We investigated possible neonatal risk factors such as jaundice, blue light phototherapy, birthweight, gestational age at birth, and season of birth on the risk of developing AD in the first 5 years of life. MATERIALS & METHODS Data were collected through Danish nationwide administrative registers. All newborn children between 1997 and 2007 (n = 673,614) were included in the cohort. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were estimated with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) by multivariate Poisson regression analyses. RESULTS We identified a total of 85,743 children with AD in the first 5 years of life. The risk of AD was slightly increased in children with neonatal jaundice (IRR 1.13 [95% CI 1.06-1.21]). Preterm birth was inversely associated with the risk of AD (IRR 0.74, [95% CI 0.68-0.81]) as well as low birthweight (IRR 0.68, [95% CI 0.61-0.75]). Children born in fall and winter seasons had an increased risk of AD compared to spring and summer. No association between neonatal blue light therapy and the risk of AD was found. CONCLUSIONS Low birthweight and preterm birth were inversely associated with AD, while neonatal jaundice and cold seasons of birth were associated with an increased risk of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Egeberg
- Department of Dermato-Allergology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark.,Department of Cardiology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Yuki M F Andersen
- Department of Dermato-Allergology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark.,Department of Cardiology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Gunnar Gislason
- Department of Cardiology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark.,The Danish Heart Foundation, Copenhagen, Denmark.,The National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lone Skov
- Department of Dermato-Allergology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Jacob P Thyssen
- Department of Dermato-Allergology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark.,The National Allergy Research Centre, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark
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19
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Hwang JM, Oh SH, Shin MY. The relationships among birth season, sunlight exposure during infancy, and allergic disease. KOREAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS 2016; 59:218-25. [PMID: 27279886 PMCID: PMC4897157 DOI: 10.3345/kjp.2016.59.5.218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Revised: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Purpose The recent increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases is hypothetically attributed to immune dysregulation in turn caused by a reduction in exposure to sunlight. We explored relationships between birth season, sunlight exposure, exercise duration, and an allergic disease. Methods We performed a questionnaire-based survey on allergic diseases among elementary school students. Birth time was categorized according to the season (summer and winter). Results The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) "symptoms ever" was higher in the children born in winter than in those born in summer (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.49; P=0.024). Birth in winter was associated with an increase in the "symptoms in the past 12 months" prevalence of food allergy (FA) (aOR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.09-2.24; P=0.015). The lifetime prevalence of allergic diseases except FA was higher in the children whose parents considered their sunlight exposure prior to 24 months of ageas inadequate than those who considered their exposure as adequate ("diagnosis ever" asthma: aOR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.17-1.67; P<0.001; allergic rhinitis [AR]: aOR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.17-1.67; P<0.001; AD: aOR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.06-1.51; P=0.01). Neither recent sunlight exposure nor exercise duration was associated with the prevalence of an allergic disease. Conclusion Birth in winter may be associated with development of AD and FA. Inadequate sunlight exposure before the age of 24 months might possibly increase the risks of development of asthma, AR, and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Min Hwang
- Department of Pediatrics, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Se Hyun Oh
- Department of Pediatrics, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Mee Yong Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The role of vitamin D in the development of food allergy is unclear. We summarize recent data on the epidemiologic link between sunlight (UVB) and food allergy, and evidence for and against a specific role for vitamin D status. RECENT FINDINGS Since 2007, most epidemiologic studies have supported low sunlight (as measured by season of birth and latitude) as a risk factor for food allergy. Investigators have also looked directly at vitamin D status (as measured by serum 25OHD level) and its potential role. Although conflicting, the vitamin D studies suggest a more complicated association than a linear dose response in all individuals, with some studies indicating different associations based on host characteristics (e.g. concominant eczema, genetic polymorphisms, country of birth). Most studies have not fully examined the myriad effects of sunlight but have instead focused on a single maternal, neonatal or childhood 25OHD level. SUMMARY Many studies have linked sunlight with the development of food allergy but whether this is directly related to vitamin D status or a myriad of other sunlight-derived, seasonal and/or geographic factors remains uncertain. More studies are needed to investigate the role of sunlight and vitamin D status in food allergy because of their potential for primary prevention and disease modification.
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21
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Thysen AH, Rasmussen MA, Kreiner-Møller E, Larsen JM, Følsgaard NV, Bønnelykke K, Stokholm J, Bisgaard H, Brix S. Season of birth shapes neonatal immune function. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2015; 137:1238-1246.e13. [PMID: 26581916 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2015.08.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Revised: 07/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Birth season has been reported to be a risk factor for several immune-mediated diseases. We hypothesized that this association is mediated by differential changes in neonatal immune phenotype and function with birth season. OBJECTIVE We sought to investigate the influence of season of birth on cord blood immune cell subsets and inflammatory mediators in neonatal airways. METHODS Cord blood was phenotyped for 26 different immune cell subsets, and at 1 month of age, 20 cytokines and chemokines were quantified in airway mucosal lining fluid. Multivariate partial least squares discriminant analyses were applied to determine whether certain immune profiles dominate by birth season, and correlations between individual cord blood immune cells and early airway immune mediators were defined. RESULTS We found a birth season-related fluctuation in neonatal immune cell subsets and in early-life airway mucosal immune function. The seasonal airway immune pattern was associated with the number of activated and regulatory T cells in cord blood whereas it was independent of concomitant presence of pathogenic airway microbes. Specifically, summer newborns presented with the lowest levels of all cell types and mediators; fall newborns displayed high levels of activated T cells and mucosal IL-12p70, TNF-α, IL-13, IL-10, and IL-2; and winter newborns had the highest levels of innate immune cells, IL-5, type 17-related immune mediators, and activated T cells. CONCLUSION Birth season fluctuations seem to affect neonatal immune development and result in differential potentiation of cord blood immune cells and early airway mucosal immune function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Hammerich Thysen
- COPSAC, Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Center for Biological Sequence Analysis, Department of Systems Biology, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
| | - Morten Arendt Rasmussen
- COPSAC, Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Spectroscopy and Chemometrics, Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eskil Kreiner-Møller
- COPSAC, Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jeppe Madura Larsen
- COPSAC, Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Center for Biological Sequence Analysis, Department of Systems Biology, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
| | - Nilofar Vahman Følsgaard
- COPSAC, Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Klaus Bønnelykke
- COPSAC, Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jakob Stokholm
- COPSAC, Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hans Bisgaard
- COPSAC, Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Susanne Brix
- Center for Biological Sequence Analysis, Department of Systems Biology, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
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22
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Matsui T, Tanaka K, Nakagawa T, Sasaki K, Nakata J, Sugiura S, Kando N, Ito K. Sun exposure inversely related to food sensitization during infancy. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2015; 26:628-33. [PMID: 26184489 DOI: 10.1111/pai.12445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autumn and winter birth (AWB) has been reported to be a risk factor for the development of food allergies. However, the association between seasonal factors and allergic sensitization during early infancy remains unclear. METHODS We collected data from 732 patients regarding the total and specific immunoglobulin E (tIgE, sIgE) levels in infants younger than 6 months old from November 2001 to October 2012 from the institutional clinical database system. We then analyzed the relationship between the birth month and the value of each parameter. Furthermore, we identified any correlations between the number of sensitized patients and the monthly climatological parameters. RESULTS The number of tIgE samples obtained from AWB patients (n = 482) was 2.1 times higher than that from patients born in the spring and summer (SSB, n = 225). The number of sIgE samples to egg white, cow's milk, and wheat, the sensitized ratio and the median sIgE titer were also all higher in AWB. The number of sensitized AWB patients to these allergens was 2.75, 3.05, and 3.97 times higher, respectively. A periodic change in the number of sensitized patients was observed annually (highest in October-November and lowest in May). Among the climatological parameters examined, the average solar radiation during the 3-month period after birth showed the strongest negative correlation with the number of sensitized patients (egg white: r = -0.976, cow's milk: r = -0.969, wheat: r = -0.975). CONCLUSIONS The amount of solar radiation immediately after birth had a strong negative correlation with allergen sensitization before 6 months of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teruaki Matsui
- Department of Allergy, Aichi Children's Health and Medical Center, Obu city, Aichi, Japan.,Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya city, Aichi, Japan
| | - Kajiyo Tanaka
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya city, Aichi, Japan
| | - Tomoko Nakagawa
- Department of Allergy, Aichi Children's Health and Medical Center, Obu city, Aichi, Japan
| | - Kemal Sasaki
- Department of Allergy, Aichi Children's Health and Medical Center, Obu city, Aichi, Japan
| | - Joon Nakata
- Department of Allergy, Aichi Children's Health and Medical Center, Obu city, Aichi, Japan
| | - Shiro Sugiura
- Department of Allergy, Aichi Children's Health and Medical Center, Obu city, Aichi, Japan
| | - Naoyuki Kando
- Department of Allergy, Aichi Children's Health and Medical Center, Obu city, Aichi, Japan
| | - Komei Ito
- Department of Allergy, Aichi Children's Health and Medical Center, Obu city, Aichi, Japan
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23
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Potential role of reduced environmental UV exposure as a driver of the current epidemic of atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2015; 136:1163-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2015.06.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Revised: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Engebretsen K, Johansen J, Kezic S, Linneberg A, Thyssen J. The effect of environmental humidity and temperature on skin barrier function and dermatitis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2015; 30:223-49. [DOI: 10.1111/jdv.13301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- K.A. Engebretsen
- National Allergy Research Centre; Department of Dermato-Allergology; Gentofte University Hospital; University of Copenhagen; Hellerup Denmark
| | - J.D. Johansen
- National Allergy Research Centre; Department of Dermato-Allergology; Gentofte University Hospital; University of Copenhagen; Hellerup Denmark
| | - S. Kezic
- Coronel Institute of Occupational Health; Academic Medical Centre; 1105 AZ Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - A. Linneberg
- Research Centre for Prevention and Health; Glostrup The Capital Region of Denmark Copenhagen Denmark
- Department of Clinical Experimental Research; Glostrup University Hospital; Glostrup Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - J.P. Thyssen
- National Allergy Research Centre; Department of Dermato-Allergology; Gentofte University Hospital; University of Copenhagen; Hellerup Denmark
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25
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McTigue O, O’Callaghan E. Season of Birth as a Risk Factor. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/00207411.2000.11449497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Katebi R, Williams G, Bourke M, Harrison A, Verma A. What factors are associated with the prevalence of atopic symptoms amongst adolescents in Greater Manchester? Eur J Public Health 2015; 28:576-581. [PMID: 26268627 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckv139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Atopy commonly manifests itself as atopic diseases (ADs), namely asthma, eczema and hay fever. The prevalence of AD is rising worldwide, and it is widely accepted as a major public health issue, due to the significant burden of AD on health care systems. METHOD Data were obtained from the youth survey of the European Urban Health Indicator System 2 project. The study participants were students aged 14-16 years from Greater Manchester. The main outcomes measured were the prevalence of atopic symptoms and the factors associated with the development of atopy. RESULTS Of the sample studied, 70% reported having had an AD during their lifetime. The lifetime prevalence of ever having asthma, eczema or hay fever was 33.4%, 28.1% and 49.0%, respectively. Gender, family affluence, body mass index, diet, smoking and worrying were all significantly associated with atopic symptoms. Smoking was the only variable to be significantly associated with all three ADs. Season of birth and pollution were not shown to be associated with atopic symptoms. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that the prevalence of AD in Greater Manchester was high amongst adolescents. Several environmental, demographic and social factors were found to be significantly associated with the development of atopic symptoms. This study provides a baseline for future studies to further investigate the factors that are associated with AD and allow for the implementation of preventative public health policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raha Katebi
- Manchester Urban Collaboration on Health, Centre for Epidemiology, Institute for Population Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Greg Williams
- Manchester Urban Collaboration on Health, Centre for Epidemiology, Institute for Population Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Michael Bourke
- Manchester Urban Collaboration on Health, Centre for Epidemiology, Institute for Population Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Annie Harrison
- Manchester Urban Collaboration on Health, Centre for Epidemiology, Institute for Population Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Arpana Verma
- Manchester Urban Collaboration on Health, Centre for Epidemiology, Institute for Population Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Hansen JS, Andreassen M, Nygaard UC, Løvik M. Offspring IgE responses are influenced by levels of maternal IgG transferred in early life. Am J Reprod Immunol 2013; 70:359-71. [PMID: 23692081 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2013] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Maternal immune responses may interfere with offspring allergy development as maternal immunization may suppress IgE development, while maternal allergy may promote allergy. Therefore, we investigated the effect of two different maternal treatments on airway allergy in female and male offspring. METHOD OF STUDY Pregnant mice were immunized (IMM) with ovalbumin (OVA) or immunized and airway-challenged (IMM+AI). At different ages, airway allergy to OVA was induced in offspring by intranasal sensitization. RESULTS Maternal IgG1 was found at higher levels in IMM+AI than in IMM offspring. After sensitization, the suppression of OVA-specific IgE and IgG1 was complete in juvenile offspring but waned with age concurrently with maternal IgG1 levels. Cytokine secretion, lung inflammation, and B cell priming were not suppressed although IgE responses were. CONCLUSIONS High compared with low levels of maternal IgG1 were associated with lower TH 2 antibody production after adult offspring were re-exposed to OVA. Thus, offspring allergy-related responses appeared to be shaped by maternal antibody levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitka S Hansen
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Finnbogadóttir AF, Árdal B, Eiríksson H, Hrafnkelsson B, Valdimarsson H, Lúðvíksson BR, Haraldsson Á. A long-term follow-up of allergic diseases in Iceland. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2012; 23:181-5. [PMID: 22300372 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2011.01234.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Allergic disorders are an increasing health problem in many countries, in particular among children. We have evaluated the prevalence and manifestations of allergy in a cohort of young Icelanders for more than two decades. Variations in the epidemiology and clinical expression of allergy in different communities may help to identify etiological factors contributing to these disorders. METHODS A cohort of 179 children has been monitored for allergic manifestations for two decades, at the ages of two, four, eight, and 15 years, and most recently at the age of 21 years involving 120 of the participants. RESULTS Cumulative prevalences of 40%, 45%, and 29% have been observed, respectively, for rhinoconjunctivitis, eczema, and asthma during the study period. None had developed rhinoconjunctivitis at the age of about 2 years, but the point prevalence gradually increased to 33% at the age of 21 years. Conversely, the prevalence of eczema was 31% at the age of 2 years, but gradually declined to 8% at the age of 21 years. The prevalence of asthma peaked at 28% at the age of 4 years, but declined thereafter and has remained stable at about 13% from the age of eight to 21 years. DISCUSSION The prevalence of allergic diseases is high in Iceland among children and young individuals. Asthma and atopic eczema are very common in childhood, but decreases with age while the prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis increases markedly. The very high and increasing prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis among 15- to 21-year-old individuals is noteworthy.
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Mullins RJ, Clark S, Katelaris C, Smith V, Solley G, Camargo CA. Season of birth and childhood food allergy in Australia. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011; 22:583-9. [PMID: 21342281 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2011.01151.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies suggest a possible role for low ultraviolet radiation exposure and low vitamin D status as a risk factor for food allergy. We hypothesized that children born in autumn/winter months (less sun exposure) might have higher food allergy rates than those born in spring/summer. METHODS We compared IgE-mediated food allergy rates by season of birth in 835 children aged 0-4 yr assessed 1995-2009 in a specialist referral clinic, using population births as controls. To address potential concerns about generalizability, we also examined national prescriptions for adrenaline autoinjectors (2007) and infant hypoallergenic formula (2006-2007). RESULTS Although live births in the general ACT population showed no seasonal pattern (50% autumn/winter vs. 50% spring/summer), autumn/winter births were more common than spring/summer births among food allergy patients (57% vs. 43%; p < 0.001). The same seasonal pattern was observed with peanut (60% vs. 40%; p < 0.001) and egg (58% vs. 42%; p = 0.003). Regional UVR intensity was correlated with relative rate of overall food allergy (β, -1.83; p = 0.05) and peanut allergy (β, -3.27; p = 0.01). National data showed that autumn/winter births also were more common among children prescribed EpiPens (54% vs. 46%; p < 0.001) and infant hypoallergenic formula (54% vs. 46%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The significantly higher rates of food allergy in children born autumn/winter (compared to spring/summer), the relationship between relative food allergy rates and monthly UVR, combined with national adrenaline autoinjector and infant hypoallergenic formula prescription data, suggest that ultraviolet light exposure/vitamin D status may be one of many potential factors contributing to childhood food allergy pathogenesis.
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Ahn IS, Bae SE, Kim JH, Son BK, Son HS, Cho SI. Genetic Association between Eotaxin Genes and Asthma and Its Relationship to Birth Season in Korean Children. Genomics Inform 2011. [DOI: 10.5808/gi.2011.9.1.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Vassallo MF, Banerji A, Rudders SA, Clark S, Mullins RJ, Camargo CA. Season of birth and food allergy in children. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2010; 104:307-13. [PMID: 20408340 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2010.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of food allergy is rising, and etiologic factors remain uncertain. Evidence implicates a role for vitamin D in the development of atopic diseases. Based on seasonal patterns of UV-B exposure (and consequent vitamin D status), we hypothesized that patients with food allergy are more often born in fall or winter. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether season of birth is associated with food allergy. METHODS We performed a multicenter medical record review of all patients presenting to 3 Boston emergency departments (EDs) for food-related acute allergic reactions between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2006. Months of birth in patients with food allergy were compared with that of patients visiting the ED for reasons other than food allergy. RESULTS We studied 1002 patients with food allergy. Of younger children with food allergy (age < 5 years), but not older children or adults, 41% were born in spring or summer compared with 59% in fall or winter (P = .002). This approximately 40:60 ratio differed from birth season in children treated in the ED for non-food allergy reasons (P = .002). Children younger than 5 years born in fall or winter had a 53% higher odds of food allergy compared with controls. This finding was independent of the suspected triggering food and allergic comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS Food allergy is more common in Boston children born in the fall and winter seasons. We propose that these findings are mediated by seasonal differences in UV-B exposure. These results add support to the hypothesis that seasonal fluctuations in sunlight and perhaps vitamin D may be involved in the pathogenesis of food allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milo F Vassallo
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
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Efird JT. Season of birth and risk for adult onset glioma. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2010; 7:1913-36. [PMID: 20623001 PMCID: PMC2898025 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph7051913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2010] [Revised: 02/04/2010] [Accepted: 02/11/2010] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Adult onset glioma is a rare cancer which occurs more frequently in Caucasians than African Americans, and in men than women. The etiology of this disease is largely unknown. Exposure to ionizing radiation is the only well established environmental risk factor, and this factor explains only a small percentage of cases. Several recent studies have reported an association between season of birth and glioma risk. This paper reviews the plausibility of evidence focusing on the seasonal interrelation of farming, allergies, viruses, vitamin D, diet, birth weight, and handedness. To date, a convincing explanation for the occurrence of adult gliomas decades after a seasonal exposure at birth remains elusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimmy T Efird
- Center for Health of Vulnerable Populations, Office of the Dean, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina, 237A McIver Building, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170, USA.
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Schram M, Tedja A, Spijker R, Bos J, Williams H, Spuls P. Is there a rural/urban gradient in the prevalence of eczema? A systematic review. Br J Dermatol 2010; 162:964-73. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.09689.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Gold DR, Bloomberg GR, Cruikshank WW, Visness CM, Schwarz J, Kattan M, O'Connor GT, Wood RA, Burger MS, Wright RJ, Witter F, Lee-Parritz A, Sperling R, Sadovsky Y, Togias A, Gern JE. Parental characteristics, somatic fetal growth, and season of birth influence innate and adaptive cord blood cytokine responses. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009; 124:1078-87. [PMID: 19895995 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2009.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2009] [Revised: 08/03/2009] [Accepted: 08/04/2009] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunologic responses at birth likely relate to subsequent risks for allergic diseases and wheezing in infancy; however, the influences of parental characteristics and prenatal factors on neonatal immune responses are incompletely understood. OBJECTIVE This study investigates potential correlations between urban parental, prenatal, and perinatal factors on innate and adaptive stimuli-induced cytokine responses. METHODS Five hundred sixty and 49 children of parents with and without allergic disease or asthma, respectively, were enrolled into a prospective birth cohort study (Urban Environment and Childhood Asthma). Cord blood mononuclear cells were incubated with innate and adaptive immune stimuli, and cytokine responses (ELISA) were compared with season of birth, parental characteristics, in utero stressors, and fetal growth. RESULTS Many cytokine responses varied by season of birth, including 2-fold to 3-fold fluctuations with specific IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma responses. Birth weight was inversely associated with IFN-gamma responses to respiratory syncytial virus (R = -0.16), but positively associated with IL-8 responses to a variety of innate stimuli (R = 0.08-0.12). Respiratory syncytial virus-induced cytokine responses were 21% to 54% lower in children of mothers with asthma. Cytokine responses were generally lower in babies born to parents with allergy/asthma. CONCLUSIONS Innate cytokine responses are associated with parental allergic or airway disease, somatic fetal growth, ethnicity, and season of birth. Collectively, these findings suggest that urban prenatal exposures and familial factors affect the development of the fetal immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane R Gold
- Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass, USA
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Sternthal MJ, Enlow MB, Cohen S, Canner MJ, Staudenmayer J, Tsang K, Wright RJ. Maternal interpersonal trauma and cord blood IgE levels in an inner-city cohort: a life-course perspective. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009; 124:954-60. [PMID: 19748657 PMCID: PMC3744584 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2009.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2009] [Revised: 07/13/2009] [Accepted: 07/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal stress affects immunocompetence in offspring, although the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. OBJECTIVE We sought to examine associations between maternal lifetime interpersonal trauma (IPT) and cord blood total IgE levels in a sample of urban newborns (n = 478). METHODS Maternal IPT during childhood and adolescence (birth to 17 years), adulthood (18 years to index pregnancy), and the index pregnancy were ascertained by using the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale at 28.4 +/- 7.9 weeks' gestation. Cord blood IgE levels were derived by using a fluoroenzyme immunoassay. We examined effects of maternal IPT on increased cord blood IgE levels (upper quartile, 1.08 IU/mL) by using logistic regression, adjusting for confounders and mediating variables. RESULTS Maternal trauma was categorized as unexposed (n = 285 [60%]), early (childhood and/or teenage years only, n = 107 [22%]), late (adulthood and/or index pregnancy only, n = 29 [6%]), and chronic (early and late, n = 57 [12%]) exposure. Relative to no IPT, early (odds ratio [OR], 1.78; 95% CI, 1.05-3.00) and chronic maternal IPT (OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.19-4.24) were independently associated with increased IgE levels in unadjusted analyses. When adjusting for standard controls, including maternal age and race, season of birth, child's sex, and childhood and current socioeconomic status, early effects became nonsignificant (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 0.85-2.58). Chronic exposure remained significant in fully adjusted models, including standard controls, current negative life events, allergen exposure, and potential pathway variables (maternal atopy, prenatal smoking, and birth weight; OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.06-4.50). CONCLUSION These data link chronic trauma over the mother's life course with increased IgE levels in infants at birth. Research examining associations between maternal trauma and indicators of offspring's atopic risk might be particularly relevant in inner-city high-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Judith Sternthal
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Mass 02215, USA.
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Kemp A, Ponsonby AL, Dwyer T, Cochrane J, Pezic A, Carmichael A, Carlin J, Jones G. The interaction between early life upper respiratory tract infection and birth during the pollen season on rye-sensitized hay fever and ryegrass sensitization--a birth cohort study. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2009; 20:536-44. [PMID: 19175891 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2008.00817.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Studies on early life viral respiratory infection and subsequent atopic disease in childhood have conflicting findings. Animal models show that viral respiratory infection in conjunction with allergen presentation can enhance sensitization. This prospective study assesses the influence of an upper respiratory tract infection (URI) in the first month of life and the season of birth on the development of hay fever and ryegrass allergen sensitization in childhood. From a Tasmanian cohort born during 1988 and 1989, a group of 498 children were followed up at 8 yr and another different group of 415 children were followed up at 16 yr. The ryegrass pollen season in Tasmania occurs in November and December. Forty-four (9.6%) children in Follow-up sample 1 and 47 (12.5%) children in Follow-up sample 2 were born in the pollen season. The parental report of an early upper respiratory tract infection (EURI) was documented prospectively by a home interview at 1 month of age (median age 5.1 wk). Sensitization to ryegrass and house dust mite (HDM) was determined at 8 yr of age by skin prick testing and at 16 yr by ImmunoCap. Ryegrass sensitized hay fever was defined as a positive response to a question on hay fever plus the presence of ryegrass allergy. For children tested at age 8 and born in the pollen season, a EURI by postnatal interview was associated with an increased risk of ryegrass sensitization (OR 5.80 95% CI 1.07, 31.31) but not for children with a EURI born outside the pollen season (OR 0.62 95% CI 0.35, 1.08). Similarly, EURI was significantly associated with early onset (< or = 8 yr) ryegrass sensitized hay fever for children born in the pollen season (AOR 4.78 95% CI 1.17, 19.47) but was not associated with early onset ryegrass sensitized hay fever for children born outside the pollen season (AOR 0.76 95% CI 0.43, 1.33). These findings suggest that early life viral URI interacts with ryegrass allergen exposure in the development of ryegrass allergen sensitization and ryegrass sensitized hay fever symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Kemp
- Department Allergy and Immunology, The Children's Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
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Roel E, Faresjö ÅO, Kjellman NIM, Faresjö T. Original Paper: Cumulative incidence of asthma diagnosis at the age of seven in a birth cohort. Eur J Gen Pract 2009. [DOI: 10.3109/13814789909094263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Prenatal arachidonic acid exposure and selected immune-related variables in childhood. Br J Nutr 2009; 102:387-97. [PMID: 19173768 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114508199457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Arachidonic acid (AA) is considered essential in fetal development and some of its metabolites are thought to be important mediators of the immune responses. Therefore, we studied whether prenatal exposure to AA is associated with some immune-related clinical conditions and plasma markers in childhood. In 280 children aged 7 years, atopy, lung function and plasma inflammation markers were measured and their relationships with early AA exposure were studied by linear and logistic regression analyses. AA exposure was deduced from AA concentrations in plasma phospholipids of the mothers collected at several time points during pregnancy and at delivery, and in umbilical cord plasma and arterial and venous wall phospholipids. In unadjusted regression analyses, significant positive associations were observed between maternal AA concentrations at 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy (proxies for fetal AA exposure) and peak expiratory flow decline after maximal physical exercise and plasma fibrinogen concentrations of their children, respectively. However, after correction for relevant covariables, only trends remained. A significant negative relationship was observed between AA concentrations in cord plasma (reflecting prenatal AA exposure) and the average daily amplitude of peak expiratory flow at rest, which lost significance after appropriate adjustment. Because of these few, weak and inconsistent relationships, a major impact of early-life exposure to AA on atopy, lung function and selected plasma inflammation markers of children at 7 years of age seems unlikely.
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Mai XM, Neuman A, Ostblom E, Pershagen G, Nordvall L, Almqvist C, van Hage M, Wickman M. Symptoms to pollen and fruits early in life and allergic disease at 4 years of age. Allergy 2008; 63:1499-504. [PMID: 18721247 DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2008.01792.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The predictive value of reported early symptoms to pollen or fruits on later allergic disease is unclear. Our aim is to evaluate if symptoms to pollen and/or to fruits early in life are associated with allergic disease and sensitization to pollen at 4 years. METHODS The study included 3619 children from the Barn (Children), Allergy, Milieu, Stockholm, Epidemiology project (BAMSE) birth cohort. Reported symptoms of wheeze, sneeze or rash to birch, grass or weed, symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, rash, facial edema, sneeze, or wheeze) to fruits including tree-nuts at 1 or 2 years of age, and definitions of asthma, rhinitis and eczema at 4 years were derived from questionnaire data. Sensitization to pollen allergens was defined as allergen-specific IgE-antibodies to any pollen (birch/timothy/mugwort) > or =0.35 kU(A)/l. RESULTS At 1 or 2 years of age, 6% of the children were reported to have pollen-related symptoms, 6% had symptoms to fruits, and 1.4% to both pollen and fruits. Children with symptoms to both pollen and fruits at 1 or 2 years of age had an increased risk for sensitization to any pollen allergen at age 4 (OR(adj) = 4.4, 95% CI = 2.1-9.2). This group of children also had a substantially elevated risk for developing any allergic disease (asthma, rhinitis, or eczema) at 4 years irrespective of sensitization to pollen (OR(adj) = 8.6, 95% CI = 4.5-16.4). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of reported symptoms to pollen and fruits is very low in early childhood. However, children with early symptoms to both pollen and fruits appear to have a markedly elevated risk for allergic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- X-M Mai
- McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Lendor C, Johnson A, Perzanowski M, Chew GL, Goldstein IF, Kelvin E, Perera F, Miller RL. Effects of winter birth season and prenatal cockroach and mouse allergen exposure on indoor allergen-specific cord blood mononuclear cell proliferation and cytokine production. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2008; 101:193-9. [PMID: 18727476 DOI: 10.1016/s1081-1206(10)60209-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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-delta, 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 associated 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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Lendor
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA
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Abstract
Body height differentiation by season of birth: Girls from Cracow, PolandPublished studies world wide demonstrate that measures of human development and health status vary depending on the month of birth but these patterns are not always consistent and sometimes even conflict. Direct factors related to the birth season that may significantly differentiate morphological and functional traits and mechanisms causing these relations have not been found so far. On the basis of cross-sectional material, gathered in the years 1983 and 2000 by the Department of Anthropology of the Academy of Physical Education in Cracow, two main hypotheses have been verified: (1) average body height differences by month of birth are statistically insignificant, (2) the magnitude of these differences does not change with time. Metric data of 4672 girls aged 5-18 years, born in 1965-1978 and 1982-1995, were used. The total sample was also subdivided into prepubertal (5-9 years) and adolescent (10-18 years) groups. The age of the individuals was calculated to the nearest day and the procedure of standardization on the interpolated values of regional norms was applied. A highly significant relationship between the birth month and average values of height was revealed in preadolescent girls. The results obtained for the entire material proved insignificant. The patterns of the month-of-birth effect on body height for girls born in 60./70. and 80./90. show high similarity, though the effect seems weaker in the latter sample. Winter proved to be the most favorable birth season for later body height.
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Green TD, LaBelle VS, Steele PH, Kim EH, Lee LA, Mankad VS, Williams LW, Anstrom KJ, Burks AW. Clinical characteristics of peanut-allergic children: recent changes. Pediatrics 2007; 120:1304-10. [PMID: 18055680 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2007-0350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The goal was to determine whether patients seen in a referral clinic are experiencing initial allergic reactions to peanuts earlier, compared with a similar population profiled at a different medical center 10 years ago, and to investigate other changes in clinical characteristics of the patients between the 2 groups. METHODS We reviewed the medical charts of peanut-allergic patients seen in the Duke University pediatric allergy and immunology clinic between July 2000 and April 2006. RESULTS The median ages of first peanut exposure and reaction were 14 and 18 months, respectively; the respective ages in a similar population profiled between 1995 and 1997 were 22 and 24 months. Within our patient group, those born before 2000 were first exposed to peanuts at a median age of 19 months and reacted at a median age of 21 months, compared with first exposure at 12 months and first reaction at 14 months for those born in or after 2000. Most patients (68%) demonstrated sensitization or clinical allergy to other foods (53% to eggs, 26% to cow's milk, 20% to tree nuts, 11% to fish, 9% to shellfish, 7% to soy, 6% to wheat, and 6% to sesame seeds). CONCLUSIONS In the past decade, the ages of first peanut exposure and reaction have declined among peanut-allergic children seen in a referral clinic. Egg allergy is very common in peanut-allergic patients, and sesame seeds should perhaps be considered one of the major food allergens. The decline in the age of first peanut reaction seems to be attributable to earlier exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd D Green
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 3705 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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Abstract
While an exacerbation in allergic symptoms corresponding to seasons has long been reported, few studies have investigated the association between the season of birth and allergic disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the climatologic data before and after birth affected the incidence of atopic dermatitis (AD) and the results of allergy-related blood tests in early infancy. From February 1995 to January 2000, 2136 infants were tested for AD and followed for 12 months. AD patients were tested by using allergy-related blood tests. Data were compared according to the month of birth and the climatologic data using a computed statistical software package. Six hundred and thirty infants had AD before 12 months old, and significant differences were found according to the season of birth (p < 0.0001). Infants born in spring showed the lowest (22.3%) incidence, while those born in autumn showed the highest (34.6%). In 369 patients, total serum IgE levels, and serum specific IgE levels with egg white at 3 months old were also different according to the season of birth. All of these levels were lower in patients born in spring and summer, and higher in patients born in autumn and winter. Furthermore, the cumulative sunshine amount during the 3 months before and after birth was inversely correlated, while the average temperature over the 3 months before birth was positively correlated to the incidence of AD according to the month of birth. The climatologic data around birth may play an important role in whether an infant develops allergies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuyo Kuzume
- Department of Pediatrics, Ehime University School of Medicine, Toon, Japan.
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Graf N, Johansen P, Schindler C, Wuthrich B, Ackermann-Liebrich U, Gassner M, Kundig TM, Senti G. Analysis of the Relationship between Pollinosis and Date of Birth in Switzerland. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2007; 143:269-75. [PMID: 17351326 DOI: 10.1159/000100572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2006] [Accepted: 01/22/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The first months of life may represent a vulnerable period in the development of atopic diseases. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between the month of birth and the development of birch and grass pollen allergy in the Swiss population. METHODS Data from the Swiss Study on Air Pollution and Lung Diseases in Adults(SAPALDIA) as well as the Swiss Study on Childhood Allergy and Respiratory Symptoms with Respect to Air Pollution and Climate (SCARPOL) were used. A logistic regression was calculated with grass and birch pollen sensitisation (positive skin prick test) or allergy (positive skin prick test and allergic symptoms) as outcome variables and the season of birth as predictor variable. The contribution of the season of birth on pollinosis was further adjusted for well-known risk factors and potential confounding variables. RESULTS The logistic regression revealed a significant effect of the season of birth on birch pollen sensitisation and an effect of borderline significance on birch pollen allergy, i.e. subjects born in the pollen season (March to April) showed an increased risk of being sensitised/allergic to birch pollen. The results also indicated a tendency towards an increased risk for subjects born in the grass pollen season (May to June) to develop grass pollen allergy. CONCLUSION Our results support the hypothesis that the first few months of life constitute a sensitive period, during which inhalative exposure to certain allergens may predispose to the subsequent development of atopic respiratory disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Graf
- Unit for Experimental Immunotherapy, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Roel E, Faresjö Å, Zetterström O, Trell E, Faresjö T. Clinically diagnosed childhood asthma and follow-up of symptoms in a Swedish case control study. BMC FAMILY PRACTICE 2005; 6:16. [PMID: 15845146 PMCID: PMC1090570 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2296-6-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2004] [Accepted: 04/21/2005] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Childhood asthma has risen dramatically not only in the western societies and now forms a major and still increasing public health problem. The aims of this study were to follow up at the age of ten the patterns of asthma symptoms and associations among children with a clinically diagnosed asthma in a sizeable urban-rural community and to in compare them with demographic controls using a standardised questionnaire. Methods In a defined region in Sweden with a population of about 150 000 inhabitants, all children (n = 2 104) born in 1990 were recorded. At the age of seven all primary care and hospital records of the 1 752 children still living in the community were examined, and a group of children (n = 191) was defined with a well-documented and medically confirmed asthma diagnosis. At the age of ten, 86 % of these cases (n = 158) and controls (n = 171) completed an ISAAC questionnaire concerning asthma history, symptoms and related conditions. Results Different types of asthma symptoms were highly and significantly over-represented in the cases. Reported asthma heredity was significantly higher among the cases. No significant difference in reported allergic rhinitis or eczema as a child was found between cases and controls. No significant difference concerning social factors or environmental exposure was found between case and controls. Among the control group 4.7 % of the parents reported that their child actually had asthma. These are likely to be new asthma cases between the age of seven and ten and give an estimated asthma prevalence rate at the age of ten of 15.1 % in the studied cohort. Conclusion A combination of medical verified asthma diagnosis through medical records and the use of self-reported symptom through the ISAAC questionnaire seem to be valid and reliable measures to follow-up childhood asthma in the local community. The asthma prevalence at the age of ten in the studied birth cohort is considerably higher than previous reports for Sweden. Both the high prevalence figure and allowing the three-year lag phase for further settling of events in the community point at the complementary roles of both hospital and primary care in the comprehensive coverage and control of childhood asthma in the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Roel
- Department of Health and Society/General Practice and Primary Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Linköping, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Åshild Faresjö
- Department of Health and Society/General Practice and Primary Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Linköping, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Olle Zetterström
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine /Allergy Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Linköping, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Erik Trell
- Department of Health and Society/General Practice and Primary Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Linköping, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Tomas Faresjö
- Department of Health and Society/General Practice and Primary Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Linköping, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
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Kimura M, Obi M, Saito M. Japanese cedar pollen-specific interleukin-4 production develops immediately after the first exposure to pollens in infants with atopic dermatitis. Clin Exp Allergy 2004; 34:1032-6. [PMID: 15248846 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2004.01987.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Japanese cedar pollens (JCPs) spread over most areas of Japan from February to April and cause pollenosis. While IgE synthesis against JCPs starts after age 1, it remains to be clarified when JCP-specific T helper cells acquire the ability to produce IL-4, a cytokine that induces IgE synthesis. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to clarify when the sensitization of T cells to JCPs develops. METHODS Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 153 children with atopic dermatitis (AD) aged 0-15 years were stimulated with a standardized JCP allergen. As parameters of T cell responsiveness, lymphocyte proliferation and the production of IL-4 and IFN-gamma were measured. RESULTS T cell responses against JCPs were negative before March in infants with AD who had never been exposed to JCPs or who were exposed for less than a month (nine, seven and nine subjects for lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine production and IgE synthesis, respectively). Lymphocyte proliferation distinctly increased in 67.6% (23/34) of infants with AD examined between March and June. JCP-specific IL-4 production was observed in 56.0% (14/25) of infants with AD examined between March and June. Correspondingly, a slight increase in the level of serum JCP-specific IgE antibody was seen in 17.2% (five of 29) of infants with AD examined between April and June. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that the sensitization of T cells to JCPs is effectively completed within a few months after the first exposure to JCPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kimura
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Shizuoka Children's Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan.
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Zittermann A, Dembinski J, Stehle P. Low vitamin D status is associated with low cord blood levels of the immunosuppressive cytokine interleukin-10. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2004; 15:242-6. [PMID: 15209957 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2004.00140.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) plays a pivotal regulatory role in tolerizing exogenous antigens. Experimental data indicate that low cellular availability of the vitamin D hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] results in a down-regulation of IL-10 concentrations. The tissue production of an adequate amount of 1,25(OH)2D depends on a high circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) level. The present study was thus aimed at evaluating the associations between season of birth, vitamin D status, and the allergy risk markers IL-10 and total immunoglobulin (IgE) in newborns. Cord blood was obtained from 49 infants born during the summer half year (mid-April to mid-October, geographic latitude 51 degrees N) and from 47 infants born during the winter half year (mid-October to mid-April, geographic latitude of 51 degrees N). Serum levels of 25-OHD were 99% higher, and IL-10 levels were 43% higher in the summer half year compared with the winter half year (p < 0.001 and p = 0.018). Moreover, the ratio of IL-10 to total IgE was 124% higher in the summer half year compared with the winter half year (p = 0.039). Serum levels of 25-OHD were correlated with IL-10 levels (r = +0.22; p < 0.05). Mothers' age, gestational ages, birth weights and serum 1,25(OH)2D levels did not differ between study groups. We conclude that the low vitamin D status of infants born in winter may at least in part adversely affect biomarkers of allergy risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armin Zittermann
- Department of Nutrition Science, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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49
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Le CT, Liu P, Lindgren BR, Daly KA, Scott Giebink G. Some statistical methods for investigating the date of birth as a disease indicator. Stat Med 2003; 22:2127-35. [PMID: 12820278 DOI: 10.1002/sim.1343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Some methods of temporal statistics are presented and proposed for investigating the date of birth as a disease predictor. A subject's birthday is proposed to be used as a continuous variable with a circular distribution, a special type of interval scale without a true zero point. Three types of endpoints are then considered: a dichotomous endpoint; a continuous endpoint; and time-to-event. A study of otitis media is used for illustration. We found, for example, that children born in late winter to early spring tend to have higher cord blood pneumococcal antibody concentration and lower risk of disease as compared to those born in summer to early fall perhaps due largely to exposure to indoor pollution by pregnant mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chap T Le
- School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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50
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Kihlström A, Lilja G, Pershagen G, Hedlin G. Exposure to birch pollen in infancy and development of atopic disease in childhood. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2002; 110:78-84. [PMID: 12110825 DOI: 10.1067/mai.2002.125829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between early allergen exposure, sensitization, and development of atopic disease remains controversial. In 1993, extremely high levels of birch pollen were recorded in Stockholm, Sweden, creating the unique opportunity to study children with different exposures during infancy. OBJECTIVE We sought to assess the influence of early high-dose exposure to an inhalant allergen (birch pollen) on sensitization and development of atopic disease in children. METHODS A total of 583 children with atopic heredity born in Stockholm in February through April 1992, 1993, or 1994 were investigated at age 4.5 to 5 years. The children were examined and underwent skin prick testing with inhalant and food allergens. IgE antibodies (RAST) against birch pollen and recombinant birch pollen allergen (rBet v 1) were analyzed in serum. RESULTS The children born in 1993 (high-dose exposure at 0-3 months) were more often sensitized (ie, positive skin prick test response) to birch pollen than the children born in 1994 (low-dose exposure; 17.8% and 8.8%, respectively; odds ratio [OR], 2.4; 95% CI, 1.2-4.6). A tendency in the same direction was seen for children born in 1992 (high-dose exposure at 12-15 months; OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 0.9-3.2). The results were supported by the RAST analyses. The prevalence of bronchial asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and atopic dermatitis did not differ between the birth-year groups. However, the prevalence of pollen- and animal dander-induced allergic asthma was increased in the children born in 1993 (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.2-5.6). An interaction between early high-dose exposure to birch pollen and cat in the household was suggested for sensitization to cat (P =.06). CONCLUSION Exposure to high levels of birch pollen in infancy increases the risk of sensitization to the same allergen, as well as the risk of allergic asthma.
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