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Adami AJ, Bracken SJ, Guernsey LA, Rafti E, Maas KR, Graf J, Matson AP, Thrall RS, Schramm CM. Early-life antibiotics attenuate regulatory T cell generation and increase the severity of murine house dust mite-induced asthma. Pediatr Res 2018; 84:426-434. [PMID: 29967529 PMCID: PMC6258300 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-018-0031-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Early-life exposure to antibiotics (ABX) has been linked to increases in asthma severity and prevalence in both children and laboratory animals. We explored the immunologic mechanisms behind this association using a mouse model of house dust mite (HDM)-induced asthma and early-life ABX exposure. METHODS Mice were exposed to three short courses of ABX following weaning and experimental asthma was thereafter induced. Airway cell counts and differentials; serum immunoglobulin E (IgE); pulmonary function; lung histopathology; pulmonary regulatory T cells (Tregs); and the fecal microbiome were characterized following ABX exposure and induction of experimental asthma. RESULTS Asthma severity was increased in mice exposed to ABX, including: airway eosinophilia, airway hyper-reactivity, serum HDM-specific IgE, and lung histopathology. ABX treatment led to sharp reduction in fecal microbiome diversity, including the loss of pro-regulatory organisms such as Lachnospira. Pulmonary Tregs were reduced with ABX treatment, and this reduction was directly proportional to diminished microbiome diversity. CONCLUSION Intermittent exposure to ABX early in life worsened the severity of experimental asthma and reduced pulmonary Tregs; the latter change correlated with decreased microbiome diversity. These data may suggest targets for immunologic or probiotic therapy to counteract the harmful effects of childhood ABX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J. Adami
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT
| | - Sonali J. Bracken
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT
| | - Linda A. Guernsey
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT,Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT
| | - Ektor Rafti
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT
| | - Kendra R. Maas
- Microbial Analysis, Resources, and Services Facility, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
| | - Joerg Graf
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
| | - Adam P. Matson
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT,Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT,Division of Neonatology, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Hartford, CT
| | - Roger S. Thrall
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT
| | - Craig M. Schramm
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT,Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Hartford, CT,Corresponding Author: Craig M. Schramm, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, 282 Washington
Street, Hartford, CT 06106; ; Telephone: 860-545- 9440; Fax: 860-545-9445
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Bracken SJ, Adami AJ, Rafti E, Schramm CM, Matson AP. Regulation of IgE activity in inhalational tolerance via formation of IgG anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes. Clin Mol Allergy 2018; 16:13. [PMID: 29796009 PMCID: PMC5960149 DOI: 10.1186/s12948-018-0091-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Allergic asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the airways that results from inappropriate production of IgE against harmless, environmental antigens. Sequestration of free IgE using humanized IgG anti-IgE is an effective therapy for asthma and other atopic disorders. However, the status of free IgE in subjects who have naturally developed immune tolerance to inhaled antigens has not been well studied. Methods C57BL/6 mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) for 7 days to induce allergic airway disease (AAD) or 6 weeks to induce a state of local inhalational tolerance (LIT). Serum from AAD or LIT mice, diluted to achieve equivalent levels of total OVA-specific IgE, was used to sensitize rat basophil leukemia cells for allergen-mediated degranulation. Levels of degranulation were measured in relation to serum concentrations of free IgE and IgG anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes. Results Serum from AAD animals induced a greater degree of basophil degranulation than serum from LIT animals. These results correlated with higher levels of free IgE in AAD animals, whereas LIT mice demonstrated a significant increase in IgG anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes relative to their diseased counterparts. Conclusions Sequestration of free IgE by naturally occurring IgG anti-IgE may aid in the development of immune tolerance against inhaled allergens. The decrease in bioavailability of free IgE may, in turn, contribute to the overall reduction of asthma symptoms via a mechanism that mimics the therapeutic effects of humanized IgG anti-IgE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonali J Bracken
- 1Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030 USA
| | - Alexander J Adami
- 1Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030 USA
| | - Ektor Rafti
- 2Department of Pediatrics, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT USA
| | - Craig M Schramm
- 2Department of Pediatrics, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT USA
| | - Adam P Matson
- 1Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030 USA.,2Department of Pediatrics, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT USA
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Bundhoo A, Paveglio S, Rafti E, Dhongade A, Blumberg RS, Matson AP. Evidence that FcRn mediates the transplacental passage of maternal IgE in the form of IgG anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes. Clin Exp Allergy 2016; 45:1085-98. [PMID: 25652137 PMCID: PMC4437844 DOI: 10.1111/cea.12508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2014] [Revised: 12/13/2014] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanism(s) responsible for acquisition of maternal antibody isotypes other than IgG are not fully understood. This uncertainty is a major reason underlying the continued controversy regarding whether cord blood (CB) IgE originates in the mother or fetus. OBJECTIVE To investigate the capacity of maternal IgE to be transported across the placenta in the form of IgG anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes (ICs) and to determine the role of the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) in mediating this process. METHODS Maternal and CB serum concentrations of IgE, IgG anti-IgE, and IgG anti-IgE/IgE ICs were determined in a cohort of allergic and non-allergic mother/infant dyads. Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells stably transfected with human FcRn were used to study the binding and transcytosis of IgE in the form of IgG anti-IgE/IgE ICs. RESULTS Maternal and CB serum concentrations of IgG anti-IgE/IgE ICs were highly correlated, regardless of maternal allergic status. IgG anti-IgE/IgE ICs generated in vitro bound strongly to FcRn-expressing MDCK cells and were transcytosed in an FcRn-dependent manner. Conversely, monomeric IgE did not bind to FcRn and was not transcytosed. IgE was detected in solutions of transcytosed IgG anti-IgE/IgE ICs, even though essentially all the IgE remained in complex form. Similarly, the majority of IgE in CB sera was found to be complexed to IgG. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE These data indicate that human FcRn facilitates the transepithelial transport of IgE in the form of IgG anti-IgE/IgE ICs. They also strongly suggest that the majority of IgE in CB sera is the result of FcRn-mediated transcytosis of maternal-derived IgG anti-IgE/IgE ICs. These findings challenge the widespread perception that maternal IgE does not cross the placenta. Measuring maternal or CB levels of IgG anti-IgE/IgE ICs may be a more accurate predictor of allergic risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bundhoo
- Division of Neonatology, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - S Paveglio
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - E Rafti
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - A Dhongade
- Division of Neonatology, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - R S Blumberg
- Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - A P Matson
- Division of Neonatology, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA.,Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
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Bracken SJ, Adami AJ, Szczepanek SM, Ehsan M, Natarajan P, Guernsey LA, Shahriari N, Rafti E, Matson AP, Schramm CM, Thrall RS. Long-Term Exposure to House Dust Mite Leads to the Suppression of Allergic Airway Disease Despite Persistent Lung Inflammation. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2015; 166:243-58. [PMID: 25924733 DOI: 10.1159/000381058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Allergic asthma is a major cause of worldwide morbidity and results from inadequate immune regulation in response to innocuous, environmental antigens. The need exists to understand the mechanisms that promote nonreactivity to human-relevant allergens such as house dust mite (HDM) in order to develop curative therapies for asthma. The aim of our study was to compare the effects of short-, intermediate- and long-term HDM administration in a murine asthma model and determine the ability of long-term HDM exposure to suppress allergic inflammation. METHODS C57BL/6 mice were intranasally instilled with HDM for short-term (2 weeks), intermediate-term (5 weeks) and long-term (11 weeks) periods to induce allergic airway disease (AAD). The severity of AAD was compared across all stages of the model via both immunological and pulmonary parameters. RESULTS Short- and intermediate-term HDM exposure stimulated the development of AAD that included eosinophilia in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), pronounced airway hyperreactivity (AHR) and evidence of lung inflammation. Long-term HDM exposure promoted the suppression of AAD, with a loss of BALF eosinophilia and AHR despite persistent mononuclear inflammation in the lungs. Suppression of AAD with long-term HDM exposure was associated with an increase in both Foxp3+ regulatory T cells and IL-10-positive alveolar macrophages at the site of inflammation. CONCLUSIONS This model recapitulates the key features of human asthma and may facilitate investigation into the mechanisms that promote immunological tolerance against clinically relevant aeroallergens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonali J Bracken
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Conn., USA
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Matson A, Bundhoo A, Paveglio S, Blumberg R, Rafti E. Transplacental passage of IgG anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes (HYP7P.306). The Journal of Immunology 2014. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.192.supp.119.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Maternal IgG mediates the transplacental passage of several antigens; however, it is unclear if maternal IgE may be transferred across the placenta as IgG anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes. In this study, we determined maternal and cord blood serum concentrations of IgG anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes in a cohort of allergic and non-allergic mother/infant dyads. We found a strong correlation (r = 0.88) between maternal and cord serum concentrations, which is strongly suggestive of placental transmission. Subclass analysis demonstrated the majority of IgG anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes in maternal sera were of the IgG1 and IgG4 subclasses, while those in cord blood were of the IgG1 subclass. Levels of IgG1 anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes were significantly higher in allergic vs. non-allergic pregnant women. To investigate the role of FcRn in the transplacental passage of IgG anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes, we used MDCK cells stably transfected with hFcRn. IgG, IgG anti-IgE, and IgG anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes bound to hFcRn-expressing MDCK cells in a pH-dependent manner whereas IgE alone did not. The addition of an FcRn blocking antibody effectively inhibited the binding of IgG anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes. Ongoing experiments are being conducted using the MDCK cells to demonstrate FcRn-mediated transcytosis. The ability of maternal IgG anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes to bind fetal myeloid dendritic cells and regulate FcεRI-dependent pro-inflammatory responses is being investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Matson
- 1Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT
- 2Neonatology, CT Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT
- 3Immunology, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT
| | - Arvin Bundhoo
- 1Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT
- 2Neonatology, CT Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT
| | - Sara Paveglio
- 1Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT
| | | | - Ektor Rafti
- 1Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT
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Secor E, Rivera A, Rafti E, Paveglio S, Guernsey L, Thrall R, Matson A. Bromelain Reduces FceRI Expression on Humanized Rat Basophil Leukemia Cells. J Altern Complement Med 2014. [DOI: 10.1089/acm.2014.5071.abstract] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Eric Secor
- (1) Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA
- (2) University of Saint Josephs, West Hartford, CT, USA
- (3) Department of Immunology, UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
- (4) Department of Pediatrics, UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Angie Rivera
- (1) Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA
- (2) University of Saint Josephs, West Hartford, CT, USA
- (3) Department of Immunology, UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
- (4) Department of Pediatrics, UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Ektor Rafti
- (1) Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA
- (2) University of Saint Josephs, West Hartford, CT, USA
- (3) Department of Immunology, UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
- (4) Department of Pediatrics, UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Sara Paveglio
- (1) Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA
- (2) University of Saint Josephs, West Hartford, CT, USA
- (3) Department of Immunology, UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
- (4) Department of Pediatrics, UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Linda Guernsey
- (1) Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA
- (2) University of Saint Josephs, West Hartford, CT, USA
- (3) Department of Immunology, UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
- (4) Department of Pediatrics, UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Roger Thrall
- (1) Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA
- (2) University of Saint Josephs, West Hartford, CT, USA
- (3) Department of Immunology, UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
- (4) Department of Pediatrics, UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Adam Matson
- (1) Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA
- (2) University of Saint Josephs, West Hartford, CT, USA
- (3) Department of Immunology, UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
- (4) Department of Pediatrics, UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
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Matson AP, Cloutier MM, Dhongade A, Puddington L, Rafti E. Maternal allergy is associated with surface-bound IgE on cord blood basophils. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2013; 24:614-21. [PMID: 23980848 PMCID: PMC3798094 DOI: 10.1111/pai.12113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cell type(s) mediating the maternal influence on allergic disease in children remain unclear. We set out to define the relationship between maternal allergy and frequencies of cord blood (CB) basophils, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs); to characterize surface-bound IgE and FcεRI expressions on these cells; and to investigate the association between maternal and CB serum IgE levels with surface-bound IgE and FcεRI expressions. METHODS One hundred and three mother/infant dyads were recruited prenatally, and maternal allergic history was recorded. Maternal blood was collected prior to delivery, and CB was collected after birth. Flow cytometry was used to identify CB basophils and pDCs and to determine surface-bound IgE and FcεRI expressions. RESULTS Frequencies of CB basophils and pDCs were low and not related to maternal history of allergy. Percentages of CB basophils with surface-bound IgE were significantly higher in infants of allergic mothers compared with infants of non-allergic mothers (median, 59.60% vs. 19.70%, p = 0.01). IgE on CB basophils correlated with CB IgE levels (r = 0.72, p < 0.0001), but not with maternal IgE levels (r = 0.26, p = 0.06). IgE on CB pDCs was low and not significantly associated with maternal or CB IgE levels. Similarly, FcεRI expression by CB basophils and pDCs was not significantly associated with maternal or CB IgE levels. CONCLUSIONS Frequencies of CB basophils and pDCs are not influenced by maternal allergy. CB basophils and pDCs have surface-bound IgE and express FcεRI; however, only IgE on CB basophils appears influenced by maternal allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam P Matson
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanism(s) responsible for the acquisition of maternal antibody isotypes other than IgG are not fully understood. OBJECTIVE To define the ability of the neonatal Fc receptor for IgG uptake (FcRn) to mediate intestinal absorption of IgG(1) anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes. METHODS C57BL/6 allergic ovalbumin (OVA)-immune foster mothers were generated to nurse naïve FcRn(+/-) or FcRn(-/-) progeny. At the time of weaning, serum levels of OVA-specific antibodies and IgG(1) anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes were determined in allergic foster mothers and FcRn(+/+), FcRn(+/-), or FcRn(-/-) breastfed offspring. In separate experiments, FcRn(+/-) or FcRn(-/-) neonatal mice were gavage fed TNP-specific IgE as IgG(1) anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes, IgG(1) isotype control and IgE, or IgE alone. Mice were killed 2 h after feeding to determine serum levels and biological activity of absorbed TNP-specific IgE. RESULTS As expected, the absorption of maternal OVA-specific IgG(1) in FcRn(-/-) offspring was at levels 10(3) -10(4) less than observed in FcRn(+/+) or FcRn(+/-) offspring. Surprisingly, FcRn expression also influenced the absorption of maternal IgE. OVA-specific IgE was detected in FcRn(+/+) and FcRn(+/-) offspring, but not in FcRn(-/-) offspring. IgG(1) anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes were detected in allergic foster mothers and correlated strongly with levels in FcRn(+/+) and FcRn(+/-) offspring (ρ = 0.88, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, FcRn expression was required for neonatal mice to absorb TNP-specific IgE when fed as IgG(1) anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes. When immune complexes were generated with IgG(1) anti-IgE directed against the Cε4 domain, the absorbed IgE was able to function in antigen-dependent basophil degranulation. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE These data demonstrate a novel mechanism by which FcRn may facilitate absorption of maternal antibodies other than IgG. These findings are clinically relevant because FcRn mediates the transplacental passage of maternal IgG to the fetus. This raises the possibility that FcRn could mediate the transplacental passage of maternal IgE as IgG anti-IgE/IgE immune complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Paveglio
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
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Matson A, Rafti E. Transplacental Passage of IgG anti-IgE/IgE Immune Complexes (ICs). J Allergy Clin Immunol 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Matson AP, Thrall RS, Rafti E, Lingenheld EG, Puddington L. IgG transmitted from allergic mothers decreases allergic sensitization in breastfed offspring. Clin Mol Allergy 2010; 8:9. [PMID: 20626874 PMCID: PMC2914046 DOI: 10.1186/1476-7961-8-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2010] [Accepted: 07/13/2010] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanism(s) responsible for the reduced risk of allergic disease in breastfed infants are not fully understood. Using an established murine model of asthma, we demonstrated previously that resistance to allergic airway disease transmitted from allergic mothers to breastfed offspring requires maternal B cell-derived factors. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the role of offspring neonatal Fc receptor for IgG uptake by intestinal epithelial cells (FcRn) in this breast milk transferred protection from allergy. METHODS Allergic airway disease was induced during pregnancy in C57BL/6 female mice. These allergic mothers foster nursed naive FcRn+/- or FcRn-/- progeny born to FcRn+/- females that were mated to C57BL/6J-FcRn-/- male mice. In offspring deficient in FcRn, we expected reduced levels of systemic allergen-specific IgG1, a consequence of decreased absorption of maternal IgG from the lumen of the neonatal gastrointestinal tract. Using this model, we were able to investigate how breast milk IgG affected offspring responses to allergic sensitization. RESULTS Levels of maternal antibodies absorbed from the breast milk of allergic foster mothers were determined in weanling FcRn-sufficient or -deficient mice. Maternal transmission of allergen-specific IgG1 to breastfed FcRn-/- offspring was at levels 103-104 lower than observed in FcRn+/- or FcRn+/+ mice. Five weeks after weaning, when offspring were 8 wk old, mice were sensitized and challenged to evaluate their susceptibility to develop allergic airway disease. Protection, indicated by reduced parameters of disease (allergen-specific IgE in serum, eosinophilic inflammation in the airways and lung) were evident in FcRn-sufficient mice nursed as neonates by allergic mothers. In contrast, FcRn-deficient mice breastfed by the same mothers acquired limited, if any, protection from development of allergen-specific IgE and associated pathology. CONCLUSIONS FcRn expression was a major factor in determining how breastfed offspring of allergic mothers acquired levels of systemic allergen-specific IgG1 sufficient to inhibit allergic sensitization in this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam P Matson
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of developing asthma in children. Using a murine model we previously demonstrated that mothers with Th1-type immunity to ovalbumin (OVA) transfer antigen-specific protection from OVA-induced allergic airway disease (AAD) to their offspring. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of breastmilk and maternal B cell immunity from allergic mothers in the vertical transmission of protection from AAD. METHODS This was investigated using an adoptive nursing strategy. Naive offspring were nursed by allergic wild-type or B cell-deficient foster mothers with histories of Th2-type immunity to OVA. Following weaning, offspring were immunized with OVA-Al(OH)(3) and challenged with aerosolized OVA to induce AAD. RESULTS Offspring nursed by wild-type OVA-immune foster mothers demonstrated lower levels of OVA-specific immunoglobulin E, interleukin-5, and airway eosinophilia than progeny nursed by naive control mothers. In contrast, offspring nursed by B cell-deficient OVA-immune foster mothers had similar parameters of OVA-induced AAD as progeny nursed by naive control mothers. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate the ability of breastmilk from allergic mothers to protect offspring from AAD was dependent on intact maternal B cell immunity. Nursing alone, when done by wild-type mothers with AAD, was sufficient for offspring to acquire the antigen-specific protective factor(s) from breastmilk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam P Matson
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06030-1319, USA
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