Cord blood eosinophil progenitor expression of major basic protein mRNA is associated with maternal atopic sensitization

Ellis, A.K., Fraser, K., Crawford, L. and Denburg, J.A. (2010) Cord blood eosinophil progenitor expression of major basic protein mRNA is associated with maternal atopic sensitization. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 125(2), AB231. (doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2009.12.901)

Abstract

RATIONALE: We recently developed and validated multiplex Q-PCR analyses of key eosinophil-lineage gene_including that of major basic protein-1(MBP1)_in cord blood(CB) progenitor populations stimulated with IL-5. Our current objective was to determine if differences exist in kinetic expression patterns of MBP1 mRNA by Q-PCR in IL-5 stimulated CB non-adherent mononuclear cells(NAMNC) between infants born to atopic(>1 positive skin prick tests(SPTs) vs. non-atopic(negative SPTs) mothers.<p></p> METHODS: CB NAMNC were isolated from 10 atopic and 10 non-atopic mothers participating in a prospective birth cohort study. Cells were incubated with 1 ng/mL rhIL-5; at 24, 48 and 72h post-stimulation, RNA was isolated, reverse transcribed, and expression of MBP mRNA determined, utilizing multiplex Q-PCR with GAPDH and beta-actin as housekeeping genes. Relative expression ratios of stimulated and un-stimulated cells were calculated using the ΔΔCt method.<p></p> RESULTS: Stimulation of CB NAMNC with IL-5 resulted steady up-regulation of MBP1, as previously demonstrated in random CB donors. Differences were noted in MBP1 mRNA expression levels between infants born to atopic vs. non-atopic mothers: the mean fold increase at 48h was 1.7 for non-atopics, vs. 8.1 for atopics(p=0.032), and at 72h 9.9 for the non-atopics vs. 18.2 for the atopics(p = 0.046) on independent samples t-testing.<p></p> CONCLUSION: Multiplex Q-PCR analyses of MBP1 mRNA from CB eosinophil progenitors demonstrate enhanced sequential expression of critical eosinophil lineage-specific genes, in subjects born to atopic vs. non-atopic mothers. These findings suggest upregulation of eosinophilopoiesis as a result of maternal allergen sensitisation, and could be applied to provide CB molecular biomarkers of the atopic diathesis.<p></p>

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Stewart, Ms Lynn
• Authors: Ellis, A.K., Fraser, K., Crawford, L., and Denburg, J.A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
• Journal Abbr.: J. Allergy Clin. Immunol.
• Publisher: Mosby, Inc.
• ISSN: 0091-6749
• ISSN (Online): 1097-6825