Breast milk IgA to foods has different epitope specificity than serum IgA-Evidence for entero-mammary link for food-specific IgA?

BACKGROUND: We have previously shown that maternal cow's milk (CM) elimination results in downregulation of CM-specific IgA antibody levels in BM, but not in serum, suggesting that an entero-mammary link may exist for food-specific antibody-secreting cells. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate whether food-specific IgA epitope profiles differ intra-individually between mother's serum and BM. We also examined how infants' food epitope-specific IgA develops in early infancy and the relationship of IgA epitope recognition with development of cow's milk allergy (CMA). METHODS: We measured specific IgA to a series of overlapping peptides in major CM allergens (αs1 -, αs2 -, ß- and κ-caseins and ß-lactoglobulin) in paired maternal and infant serum as well as BM samples in 31 mother-infant dyads within the first 15 post-partum months utilizing peptide microarray. RESULTS: There was significant discordance in epitope specificity between BM and maternal sera ranging from only 13% of sample pairs sharing at least one epitope in αs1 -casein to 73% in κ-casein. Epitope-specific IgA was detectable in infants' sera starting at less than 3 months of age. Sera of mothers with a CMA infant had increased binding of epitope-specific IgA to CM proteins compared to those with a non-CMA infant. CONCLUSION & CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings support the concept that mother's milk has a distinct antifood antibody repertoire when compared to the antibody repertoire of the peripheral blood. Increased binding of serum epitope-specific IgA to CM in mothers of infants with CMA may reflect inherited systemic immunogenicity of CM proteins in these families, although specific IgA in breast milk was not proportionally up-regulated.

Childhood BMI in relation to microbiota in infancy and lifetime antibiotic use.

BACKGROUND: Children with high body mass index (BMI) at preschool age are at risk of developing obesity. Early identification of factors that increase the risk of excessive weight gain could help direct preventive actions. The intestinal microbiota and antibiotic use have been identified as potential modulators of early metabolic programming and weight development. To test if the early microbiota composition is associated with later BMI, and if antibiotic use modifies this association, we analysed the faecal microbiota composition at 3 months and the BMI at 5-6 years in two cohorts of healthy children born vaginally at term in the Netherlands (N = 87) and Finland (N = 75). We obtained lifetime antibiotic use records and measured weight and height of all children. RESULTS: The relative abundance of streptococci was positively and the relative abundance of bifidobacteria negatively associated with the BMI outcome. The association was especially strong among children with a history of antibiotic use. Bacteroides relative abundance was associated with BMI only in the children with minimal lifetime antibiotic exposure. CONCLUSIONS: The intestinal microbiota of infants are predictive of later BMI and may serve as an early indicator of obesity risk. Bifidobacteria and streptococci, which are indicators of microbiota maturation in infants, are likely candidates for metabolic programming of infants, and their influence on BMI appears to depend on later antibiotic use.

Up-regulation of small intestinal interleukin-17 immunity in untreated coeliac disease but not in potential coeliac disease or in type 1 diabetes.

Up-regulation of interleukin (IL)-17 in small intestinal mucosa has been reported in coeliac disease (CD) and in peripheral blood in type 1 diabetes (T1D). We explored mucosal IL-17 immunity in different stages of CD, including transglutaminase antibody (TGA)-positive children with potential CD, children with untreated and gluten-free diet-treated CD and in children with T1D. Immunohistochemistry was used for identification of IL-17 and forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3)-positive cells and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for IL-17, FoxP3, retinoic acid-related orphan receptor (ROR)c and interferon (IFN)-γ transcripts. IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-17 were studied in supernatants from biopsy cultures. Expression of the apoptotic markers BAX and bcl-2 was evaluated in IL-17-stimulated CaCo-2 cells. The mucosal expression of IL-17 and FoxP3 transcripts were elevated in individuals with untreated CD when compared with the TGA-negative reference children, children with potential CD or gluten-free diet-treated children with CD (P < 0·005 for all IL-17 comparisons and P < 0·01 for all FoxP3 comparisons). The numbers of IL-17-positive cells were higher in lamina propria in children with CD than in children with T1D (P < 0·05). In biopsy specimens from patients with untreated CD, enhanced spontaneous secretion of IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-17 was seen. Activation of anti-apoptotic bcl-2 in IL-17-treated CaCo-2 epithelial cells suggests that IL-17 might be involved in mucosal protection. Up-regulation of IL-17 could, however, serve as a biomarker for the development of villous atrophy and active CD.

Intestinal defensin secretion in infancy is associated with the emergence of sensitization and atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal flora and innate immunity, and their interactions impact adaptive immunity. OBJECTIVE: To study the association of fecal defensin levels in infancy with synbiotic treatment and with the emergence of atopy. METHODS: The randomly selected group of 102 infants belonged to a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial where 1223 infants in high risk for allergy received, from birth to 6 months, a mixture of synbiotics, or placebo. Clinical trials registration number for the clinical trial is NCT00298337. In the subgroup, 45 received active treatment and 56 received placebo treatment. Follow-up for the emergence of sensitization and allergic diseases lasted 5 years. At the age of 3 (n = 96) and 6 (n = 87) months, we measured fecal levels of human neutrophil peptide (HNP) 1-3 and of ß-defensin 2 (HBD2) using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays and concentrations of lactic acid bacteria on MRS agar. We used multifactorial regression in data analysis. RESULTS: Fecal levels of HNP1-3 and HBD2 decreased from the age of 3-6 months (P < 0.0001). HBD2 levels decreased less in the synbiotics group compared with placebo (P < 0.02). High fecal HBD2 levels at 6 months were associated with an increased risk for sensitization by the age of 5 years (OR 2.5, 95% confidence interval 1.1-5.8, P < 0.03). High fecal HNP1-3 levels at 6 months were associated with a decreased risk for atopic dermatitis (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.1-1.0, P < 0.05). Samples with very low or high HBD2 levels at 6 months had low concentrations of lactic acid bacteria (P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Early innate immunity responses in the gut are associated with the emergence of sensitization and atopic dermatitis later in childhood.

Ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulins A and G levels at age 2 years are associated with the occurrence of atopic disorders.

BACKGROUND: Humoral responses to food antigens may reflect the propensity of a child's immune system to develop tolerance to innocuous antigens. Early nutrition as well as probiotics may influence these immunological responses. OBJECTIVE: To study the association of humoral responses to early food antigens with the administration of prebiotics and probiotics, with the occurrence of allergy, and with the length of exclusive breastfeeding. METHODS: In a randomized double-blind allergy prevention trial in high-risk children, 1018 mothers took probiotics or placebo from the 36th week of gestation, and their newborn infants received probiotics and prebiotics or placebo during 6 months. At 2 and 5 years, we evaluated the cumulative incidence of allergic diseases (food allergy, eczema, asthma, rhinitis) and sensitization (skin prick test ≥3 mm or serum antigen-specific IgE>0.7 kU/L). In 688 infants at age 2, we measured in sera-specific IgA, IgG, IgG1, and IgG4 antibody levels to cow's milk (CM), α-casein (CAS), ß-lactoglobulin (BLG), and ovalbumin (OVA) with ELISA, and specific IgE levels to CM and hen's egg with UniCap. RESULTS: Probiotic treatment (n=342) compared with placebo (n=346) showed no effect on serum food-specific IgA, IgG, IgG1, or IgG4 concentrations at age 2. Atopic children had higher OVA-IgA (P<0.001), OVA-IgG (P=0.001), OVA-IgG1 (P<0.001), and egg-IgE but lower OVA-IgG4/egg-IgE ratio (P<0.001) than non-atopic children. Longer duration of exclusive breastfeeding (≥4 vs. <4 months) was associated with reduced CM- and CAS-specific serum IgA (P<0.001) and IgG levels (P<0.001; P=0.003). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Allergy was associated with more intense IgA and IgG responses to OVA. Breastfeeding depressed humoral responses, whereas prebiotics and probiotics supplementation showed no immunomodulatory effect. The effect of probiotics on allergies is not mediated through food-specific antibody responses. Furthermore, OVA-specific IgA and IgG antibodies may help in assessing the risk for atopy.

Serum immunoglobulin A concentration in infancy, but not human milk immunoglobulin A, is associated with subsequent atopic manifestations in children and adolescents: a 20-year prospective follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Serum and secretory IgA concentrations have been suggested to be inversely associated with allergic symptoms in children. Furthermore, low maternal milk IgA concentration has been suggested to be associated with the development of cow's milk allergy. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to explore whether the serum IgA concentrations in infancy and the IgA concentration of maternal milk predict atopic manifestations in childhood and up to age 20 years. METHODS: A cohort of 200 unselected full-term newborns was prospectively followed up from birth to age 20 years with measurement of serum total IgA at ages 2 and 6 months. The mothers were encouraged to maintain exclusive breastfeeding for as long as possible. Total IgA concentration of maternal milk was measured at birth (colostrum, n=169) and at 2 (n=167) and 6 (n=119) months of lactation. The children were re-assessed at ages 5, 11 and 20 years for the occurrence of allergic symptoms, with skin prick testing and measurement of serum IgE. RESULTS: Children and adolescents with respiratory allergic symptoms and sensitization had a higher serum IgA concentration at age 2 months than the non-atopic subjects. Colostrum and breast milk IgA concentrations were not associated with the development of allergic symptoms in the recipient infant. However, maternal milk IgA concentration at 6 months of lactation was inversely associated with elevated serum total IgE and positive skin prick test to tree pollen in the offspring at age 20 years. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Increased serum IgA concentration at age 2 months is associated with the development of subsequent allergic symptoms and sensitization in childhood and adolescence. Maternal milk IgA concentrations are not associated with subsequent allergic symptoms in the recipient infant. The present study provides novel information on the role of IgA in the development of respiratory allergy and sensitization.

The Trial to Reduce IDDM in the Genetically at Risk (TRIGR) study: recruitment, intervention and follow-up.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The Trial to Reduce IDDM in the Genetically at Risk (TRIGR) study was designed to establish whether weaning to a highly hydrolysed formula in infancy subsequently reduces the risk of type 1 diabetes. METHODS: The study population comprises newborn infants who have first-degree relatives with type 1 diabetes and meet the increased risk HLA inclusion, but not exclusion criteria. The study is being performed in 15 countries in three continents. First-degree relatives of patients with type 1 diabetes were identified from diabetes clinics, diabetes registries, and from other endocrinology or obstetrics offices and websites. HLA typing was performed at birth from cord or heel stick blood, and the results sent to the study's Data Management Unit within 2 weeks for communication of eligibility to the clinical study centre. All mothers recruited were encouraged to breastfeed. The intervention lasted for 6 to 8 months, and weaning formulas based on hydrolysed casein and standard cow's milk were compared. RESULTS: TRIGR recruited 5,606 infants, of whom 2,160 were enrolled as eligible participants, 6% more than the target of 2,032. Of those enrolled, 80% were exposed to the study formula. The overall retention rate over the first 5 years is 87%, with protocol compliance at 94%. The randomisation code will be opened when the last recruited child turns 10 years of age, i.e. in 2017. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The TRIGR experience demonstrates the feasibility and successful implementation of an international dietary intervention study. TRIGR is the first ever primary prevention trial for type 1 diabetes and, if completed successfully, will provide a definite answer to the research question. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00179777 FUNDING: The study was funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD) and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH) (grant numbers HD040364, HD042444 and HD051997), Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International and the Commission of the European Communities (specific RTD programme 'Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources', contract number QLK1-2002-00372 'Diabetes Prevention'. Other funding came from the EFSD/JDRF/Novo Nordisk Focused Research Grant, Academy of Finland, Dutch Diabetes Research Foundation and Finnish Diabetes Research Foundation).

Feasibility and compliance in a nutritional primary prevention trial in infants at increased risk for type 1 diabetes.

AIM: The international Trial to Reduce IDDM in the Genetically at Risk (TRIGR) was launched to determine whether weaning to a highly hydrolysed formula in infancy reduces the incidence of type 1 diabetes in children at increased genetic disease susceptibility. We describe here the findings on feasibility and compliance from the pilot study. METHODS: The protocol was tested in 240 children. The diet of the participating children was assessed by self-administered dietary forms, a structured questionnaire and a food record. Blood samples were taken and weight and height measured at birth and at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months. RESULTS: A majority of the subjects (84%) were exposed to the study formula at least for 2 months. Linear growth or weight gain over the first 2 years of life was similar in the two study groups. The levels of IgA and IgG antibodies to cow's milk and casein were higher in the cow's milk-based formula group than in the hydrolysed formula group during the intervention period (p<0.05), reflecting the difference in the intake of cow's milk protein. CONCLUSION: This randomized trial on infant feeding turned out to be feasible, and dietary compliance was acceptable. Valuable experience was gained for the planning and sample size estimation of the study proper.

Cow's milk allergy as a predictor of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation at school age.

BACKGROUND: Cow's milk allergy (CMA) has been found to be associated with an increased incidence of asthma at school age. However, prospective population-based studies of CMA and the development of airway inflammation and bronchial hyperresponsivess (BHR) are lacking. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study was to evaluate CMA as a risk factor for BHR and airway inflammation presented later in childhood. METHODS: We followed prospectively 118 children with CMA and invited them to a clinical visit at a mean age of 8.6 years including the measurement of exhaled nitric oxide (FE(NO) ) and bronchial challenge with histamine. Ninety-four patients and 80 control subjects from the same cohort participated. RESULTS: At school age, children with a history of CMA had higher FE(NO) levels (P=0.0009) and more pronounced responsiveness to histamine (P=0.027) than their controls. Stratified analysis showed a significant difference only in IgE-positive CMA. Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that IgE-positive CMA [odds ratio (OR) 3.51; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.56-7.90; P=0.002] and a history of wheeze during the first year of life (OR 2.81; 95% CI 1.16-6.84; P=0.023) were independent explanatory factors for increased FE(NO) , and IgE-positive CMA (OR 3.37; 95% CI 1.03-10.97; P=0.044) and parental smoking (OR 3.41; 95% CI 1.14-10.22; P=0.028) for increased BHR, whereas for IgE-negative CMA, no associations with FE(NO) or BHR were found. In the CMA group, those exposed to CM very early at the maternity hospital, had less BHR (P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with their controls, children with a history of IgE-positive CMA show signs of airway inflammation, expressed as higher FE(NO) , and more pronounced bronchial responsiveness to histamine at school age. In contrast to IgE-negative CMA, IgE-positive CMA is a significant predictor of increased FE(NO) and BHR at school age. Very early exposure to CM was associated with less BHR.

Clinics of coeliac disease in children in the 2000s.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical picture of patients with coeliac disease (CD) and the change in its presentation over the past decades. STUDY DESIGN: Patients with CD were identified and clinical data collected from hospital records over a 6-year period (2000-2005). RESULTS: Altogether 197 patients aged 0.6-15.9 (mean 7.2) years were identified. They were found amongst the child population served by the hospital, the mean number of children at age 0.5-16 years was 268 000 during 2000-2005. The presenting symptom amongst the youngest patients (<3 years) was chronic diarrhoea (in 67%), and amongst older patients, abdominal pain. At the time of diagnosis, growth was severely retarded (height <2 SD for age) in 6.6%; mean height was -0.06 SD and weight + 1% for height. After diet treatment for a mean of 6 months, both height and weight increased significantly. Anaemia and iron deficiency were present in 25% and 43% of patients respectively. Intraepithelial T-cell receptor gamma/delta cells were pathologic in all 150 specimens studied. CONCLUSIONS: The presentation of CD depends on age. Even when we found six times more patients than during years 1976-1985 in the same hospital, published data on the prevalence of CD suggest that we found only a small minority of children with CD.

Neuropeptide S receptor 1 expression in the intestine and skin--putative role in peptide hormone secretion.

Neuropeptide S receptor 1 (NPSR1) was recently found to be genetically associated with inflammatory bowel disease in addition to asthma and related traits. Epithelia of several organs express NPSR1 isoforms A and B, including the intestine and the skin, and NPSR1 appears to be upregulated in inflammation. In this study, we used cell lines and tissue samples to characterize the expression of NPSR1 and its ligand neuropeptide S (NPS) in inflammation. We used polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to investigate the expression of NPS and NPSR1 in intestinal diseases, such as celiac disease and food allergy, and in cutaneous inflammatory disorders. We found that NPSR1-A was expressed by the enteroendocrine cells of the gut. Overall, the expression pattern of NPS was similar to its receptor suggesting an autocrine mechanism. In an NPSR1-A overexpressing cell model, stimulation with NPS resulted in a dose-dependent upregulation of glycoprotein hormone, alpha polypeptide (CGA), tachykinin 1 (TAC1), neurotensin (NTS) and galanin (GAL) encoding peptide hormones secreted by enteroendocrine cells. Because NPSR1 was also expressed in macrophages, neutrophils, and intraepithelial lymphocytes, we demonstrated that stimulation with the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma increased NPSR1 expression in the THP-1 monocytic cells. In conclusion, similar to other neuropeptides and their receptors, NPSR1 signalling might play a dual role along the gut-brain axis. The NPS/NPSR1 pathway may participate in the regulation of the peptide hormone production in enteroendocrine cells of the small intestine.

Duration of clinical reactivity in cow's milk allergy is associated with levels of specific immunoglobulin G4 and immunoglobulin A antibodies to beta-lactoglobulin.

BACKGROUND: The development of tolerance in IgE-mediated allergies has been associated with lower cow's milk (CM)-specific IgE levels, increasing levels of specific IgG4 and, more contestably, IgA. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether specific antibody responses to CM proteins differ over time between patients who recovered from cow's milk allergy (CMA) by the age of 3 years and those who developed tolerance only after the age of 8 years. METHODS: The study population comprised of 83 patients with IgE-mediated CMA. They belonged to a cohort of 6209 healthy, full-term infants followed prospectively for the emergence of CMA. Serum samples were available at diagnosis (median age 7 months), 1 year later (median 19 months) and at follow-up (median 8.5 years). Age-matched control subjects with no history of CMA (n=76) participated in the follow-up. Serum levels of IgE antibodies to CM were measured using UniCAP. Levels of IgA, IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies to beta-lactoglobulin and alpha-casein were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: Patients with persistent CMA at the age of 8 years (n=18 at diagnosis, n=16 at later time-points) had higher CM-specific IgE levels at all three time-points (P<0.001) compared with patients who became tolerant by 3 years (n=55 at diagnosis, n=54 a year later, n=40 at follow-up). They had lower serum IgA levels to beta-lactoglobulin at diagnosis (P=0.01), and lower IgG4 levels to beta-lactoglobulin (P=0.04) and alpha-casein (P=0.05) at follow-up. CONCLUSION: High CM-specific IgE levels predict the persistence of CMA. Development of tolerance is associated with elevated levels of beta-lactoglobulin-specific serum IgA at the time of diagnosis, and later increasing specific IgG4 levels to beta-lactoglobulin and alpha-casein.

Developments in the field of allergy in 2008 through the eyes of Clinical & Experimental Allergy.

In 2008, many thousands of articles were published on the subject of allergic disease with over 200 reviews, editorials and original papers in Clinical & Experimental Allergy alone. These represent a considerable amount of data and even the most avid reader could only hope to assimilate a small fraction of this knowledge. There is therefore a pressing need for the key messages that emerge from a journal such as Clinical & Experimental Allergy to be summarized by experts in the field in a form that highlights the significance of the developments and sets them in the context of important findings in the field published in other journals. This also has the advantage of making connections between new data in conditions such as asthma, where articles often appear in different sections of the journal. As can be seen from this review, the body of work is diverse both in terms of the disease of interest and the discipline that has been used to investigate it. However, taken as a whole, we hope that the reader will gain a flavour of where the field is mature, where there remain controversies and where the cutting edge is leading.

Decreased numbers of circulating plasmablasts and differences in IgA1-plasmablast homing to skin in coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis.

The two clinical phenotypes of gluten enteropathy, coeliac disease (CD) and dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), were characterized for numbers and homing profiles of circulating final effector B cells, plasmablasts, identified as immunoglobulin (Ig)-secreting cells (ISC). In CD, the numbers of ISC were approximately 50% lower than in DH or controls. ISC expressed peripheral lymph node homing receptor (HR), L-selectin, less frequently in CD (54%) and DH (52%) patients than in controls (70%). The expression of gut mucosal HR, alpha(4)beta(7), was less frequent in CD (42%) than in DH (65%) or controls (60%). In DH, but not in CD or controls, a higher proportion of IgA1-ISC (40%) than IgA2-ISC (25%) expressed the skin HR, cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen. In gluten enteropathy circulating plasmablasts are more mature, but decreased in number, and have distorted homing profiles. Differential IgA1-plasmablast homing could be associated with the development of skin rash with IgA1-deposits in DH but not in CD.

Correlation of faecal calprotectin and lactoferrin with an endoscopic score for Crohn's disease and histological findings.

BACKGROUND: Faecal calprotectin and lactoferrin increasingly serve as surrogate markers of disease activity in IBD. Data on the correlation of these markers with simple endoscopic score for Crohn's disease (SES-CD) and with histological findings are as yet limited. Aim To study the correlation of faecal calprotectin and lactoferrin with SES-CD and histology. METHODS: During 87 consecutive ileocolonoscopies, SES-CD was calculated and biopsy specimens were obtained from the ileum, colon and rectum. Faecal calprotectin and lactoferrin were measured. RESULTS: In ileocolonic or colonic disease, both faecal calprotectin and lactoferrin correlated significantly with colon SES-CD (P < 0.001) and colon histology (P < 0.001). In patients with normal calprotectin or lactoferrin levels, endoscopic and histology scores were significantly lower than in those with elevated concentrations (P < 0.001). In ileal CD, ileal SES-CD correlated with histology (P < 0.001), but not with faecal calprotectin (P = 0.161) or lactoferrin (P = 0.448). CONCLUSION: In ileocolonic and colonic disease, endoscopic score SES-CD and histological findings correlated significantly with faecal calprotectin and lactoferrin. A normal faecal-marker concentration was a reliable surrogate marker for endoscopically and histologically inactive CD. Ileal endoscopic score and histological findings failed, however, to correlate with faecal markers.

Infiltration of forkhead box P3-expressing cells in small intestinal mucosa in coeliac disease but not in type 1 diabetes.

Because the role of regulatory T cells in the intestinal inflammation is unknown in coeliac disease (CD) and type 1 diabetes (T1D), the expression of forkhead box P3 (FoxP3), CD25, transforming growth factor-beta, interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-8, IL-10, IL-15 and IL-18 was measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in the small intestinal biopsies from paediatric patients with active or potential CD, T1D and control patients. The numbers of FoxP3- and CD25-expressing cells were studied with immunohistochemistry. Enhanced intestinal expressions of FoxP3, IL-10 and IFN-gamma mRNAs were found in active CD when compared with controls (P-values < 0.001, 0.004, <0.001). In potential CD, only the expression of IFN-gamma mRNA was increased. The numbers of FoxP3-expressing cells were higher in active and potential CD (P < 0.001, P = 0.05), and the ratio of FoxP3 mRNA to the number of FoxP3-positive cells was decreased in potential CD when compared with controls (P = 0.007). The ratio of IFN-gamma to FoxP3-specific mRNA was increased in active and potential CD (P = 0.001 and P = 0.002). Patients with T1D had no changes in regulatory T cell markers, but showed increased expression of IL-18 mRNA. The impaired up-regulation of FoxP3 transcripts despite the infiltration of FoxP3-positive cells in potential CD may contribute to the persistence of inflammation. The increased ratio of IFN-gamma to FoxP3 mRNA in active and potential CD suggests an imbalance between regulatory and effector mechanisms. The increased intestinal expression of IL-18 mRNA in patients with T1D adds evidence in favour of the hypothesis that T1D is associated with derangements in the gut immune system.

Probiotics in infancy induce protective immune profiles that are characteristic for chronic low-grade inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Probiotics are widely studied both in the treatment and prevention of allergic diseases, but their mode of action is poorly known. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to examine the effect of probiotic bacteria on in vivo cytokine, antibody, and inflammatory responses in allergy-prone infants. METHODS: In a randomized double-blind study, probiotic bacteria or placebo were given for 1 month before delivery to mothers and for 6 months to infants with a family history of allergy. Plasma samples were analysed for C-reactive protein (CRP), total IgA and IgE, food-specific IgA, IgG, and IgE, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma. We analysed the associations of immunological and inflammatory parameters at age 6 months with probiotic treatment and allergic phenotype at 2 years. RESULTS: Infants receiving probiotic bacteria had higher plasma levels of CRP (P=0.008), total IgA (P=0.016), total IgE (P=0.047), and IL-10 (P=0.002) than infants in the placebo group. Increased plasma CRP level at age 6 months was associated with a decreased risk of eczema [odds ratio (OR) 0.41 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17-0.99], P=0.046], and with a decreased risk of allergic disease [OR 0.38 (95% CI 0.16-0.87), P=0.023] at age 2 years, when adjusted with probiotic use. CONCLUSION: The association of CRP with a decreased risk of eczema at 2 years of age in allergy-prone children supports the view that chronic, low-grade inflammation protects from eczema. Probiotic-induced low-grade inflammation was characterized by elevation of IgE, IgA, and IL-10, the changes typically observed in helminth infection-associated induction of regulatory mechanisms. The findings emphasize the role of chronic microbial exposure as an immune modulator protecting from allergy.

The T/G 13915 variant upstream of the lactase gene (LCT) is the founder allele of lactase persistence in an urban Saudi population.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of lactase persistence is high in Saudi Arabia. OBJECTIVE: To identify a DNA variant for the lactase persistence/non-persistence trait in adult Arabs in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: We sequenced DNA from 432 anonymous neonatal blood donors from five different regions of Saudi Arabia to cover the 400 bp region surrounding the previously identified lactase persistence/non-persistence variant C/T-13910 residing in intron 13 of the MCM6 gene. RESULTS: Two anonymous blood donors carried the C/T-13910 genotype. One variant, T/G -13915, residing 5 bp upstream of the C/T-13910 variant, was present in 332 of 432 (76.9%) of the neonatal samples, compatible with previous prevalence figures of lactase persistence in urban Saudi populations. Determination of disaccharidase activities in 25 intestinal biopsy samples showed a highly significant correlation between lactase activity and the T/G-13915 genotypes (p<0.001; Fisher exact test) as well as between the L:S ratio and the aforementioned genotypes (p<0.001; Fisher exact test). CONCLUSION: The T/G-13915 variant is the founder mutation of lactase persistence in an urban Saudi population. The results obtained here have implications for genetic testing of adult-type hypolactasia and to analysis of human evolution, the origin of cattle domestication and migrations of the populations in the Arabian peninsula.

Severe adverse reactions to Infliximab therapy are common in young children with inflammatory bowel disease.

UNLABELLED: Since 2000 we have introduced 141 Infliximab infusions to 23 children with severe inflammatory bowel disease. A total of seven severe adverse reactions occurred in 26% (6 of 23) of the children. Four reactions were acute (anaphylaxis n = 2; allergic reaction n = 2) and 3/4 of these children were younger than 10 years of age. Two children developed an abscess and one child had septicaemia and brain lesions related to progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy. CONCLUSION: adverse reactions to Infliximab infusions are common. Young children seem to be prone to severe allergic reactions although they are on azathioprine and conventional glucocorticoid therapy.