| 1. |
- Hesselmar, Bill, 1955, et al.
(författare)
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Pet-keeping in early life reduces the risk of allergy in a dose-dependent fashion.
- 2018
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Ingår i: PloS one. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 13:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Several studies have indicated that early pet keeping could protect the infant from later allergy development. Here, we investigate if there is a dose-dependent association between cat- and dog-keeping during the first year of life and subsequent allergy development.Two cohorts were investigated: a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study of 7- to 8-year-old children (N = 1029) from Mölndal and Kiruna, and a birth-cohort of children from the Västra Götaland county clinically evaluated for asthma and allergy by paediatricians up to the age of 8-9 years (N = 249). The cross-sectional study asked validated questions on asthma and allergy that had been used in two previous studies of children from the same areas. In the birth-cohort study, a diagnosis of asthma and allergy was based on predefined clinical criteria, and laboratory evaluation included blood eosinophils, skin-prick tests and specific immunoglobulin E analyses. Information on pets during first year of life was collected retrospectively in the Cross-Sectional Cohort and prospectively in the Birth Cohort.A dose-response association was seen, with less allergic manifestations (any of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, or eczema) with increasing number of household cats and dogs during the first year of life. In the Cross-Sectional Cohort, allergy ever decreased from 49% in those with no pets to zero in those with five or more pets (P-value for trend 0.038), and from 32% to zero for allergy last year (P-value for trend 0.006). The same pattern was seen in Birth Cohort. Sensitization to animals, as well as pollens, also decreased with increasing number of animals in the household.The prevalence of allergic disease in children aged 7-9 years is reduced in a dose-dependent fashion with the number of household pets living with the child during their first year of life, suggesting a "mini-farm" effect, whereby cats and dogs protect against allergy development.
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| 2. |
- Lundell, Anna-Carin, 1976, et al.
(författare)
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Dihydrotestosterone levels at birth associate positively with higher proportions of circulating immature/naïve CD5+ B cells in boys.
- 2017
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Ingår i: Scientific reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 7:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Boys present with higher proportions of immature/naïve CD5+ B cells than girls up to 3 years of age. Boys also have higher fractions of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in early infancy, but the mechanisms for these sex-related differences are unknown. In the prospective FARMFLORA follow-up study of 23 boys and 25 girls, we investigated if these immunological differences remained at 8 years of age. We also examined if testosterone or dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels at birth and at 8 years of age were associated with immune maturation. Immunological variables and androgen levels were examined and measured in blood samples obtained at birth, 3-5 days and at 8 years of age. Boys had higher proportions of CD5+ and immature/transitional CD24hiCD38hi B cells, whereas girls had higher fractions of B cells with a memory phenotype at 8 years of age. School-aged boys also presented with higher frequencies of Tregs, and a greater capacity to produce T-cell-associated cytokines. Among boys, higher cord blood DHT levels were associated with higher proportions of CD5+ B cells in early infancy and at 8 years of life. These results suggest that DHT actions in utero might be involved in the mechanism for delayed peripheral B-cell maturation in boys.
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| 3. |
- Strömbeck, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Allergic disease in 8-year old children is preceded by delayed B-cell maturation.
- 2017
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Ingår i: Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - : Wiley. - 1365-2222. ; 47:7, s. 918-928
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We previously reported that exposure to a farming environment is allergy-protective, while high proportions of neonatal immature/naïve CD5(+) B cells and putative regulatory T cells (Tregs) are risk factors for development of allergic disease and sensitization up to 3 years of age.To examine if B- and T-cell maturation are associated with allergic disease and farming environment over the first 8 years in life.In the prospective FARMFLORA study, including both farming and non-farming families, 48 out of 65 children took part in the 8-year follow-up study. Various B- and T-cell maturation variables were examined in blood samples obtained at several occasions from birth to 8 years of age and related to doctors' diagnosed allergic disease and sensitization, and to farming environment.We found that the incidence of allergic disease was lower among farmers' compared to non-farmers' children during the 8-years follow-up period, and that farmers' children had higher proportions of memory B cells at 8 years of age. Moreover, a high proportion of neonatal CD5(+) B cells was a risk factor for and may predict development of allergic disease at 8 years of age. A high proportion of Tregs was not protective against development of these conditions.High proportions of neonatal naïve B cells remained as a risk factor for allergic disease in school-aged children. Thus, the accelerated B-cell maturation observed among farmers' children may be crucial for the allergy-protective effect of a farming environment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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| 4. |
- Strömbeck, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Delayed adaptive immunity is related to higher MMR vaccine-induced antibody titers in children
- 2016
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Ingår i: Clinical & Translational Immunology. - : Wiley. - 2050-0068. ; 5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- There are notable inter-individual variations in vaccine-specific antibody responses in vaccinated children. The aim of our study was to investigate whether early-life environmental factors and adaptive immune maturation prior and close to measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) immunization relate to magnitudes of vaccine-specific antibody titers. In the FARMFLORA birth cohort, including both farming and non-farming families, children were immunized with the MMR vaccine at 18 months of age. MMR vaccine-induced antibody titers were measured in plasma samples obtained at 36 months of age. Infants' blood samples obtained at birth, 3-5 days and at 4 and 18 months of age were analyzed for T- and B-cell numbers, proportions of naive and memory T and B cells, and fractions of putative regulatory T cells. Multivariate factor analyses show that higher anti-MMR antibody titers were associated with a lower degree of adaptive immune maturation, that is, lower proportions of memory T cells and a lower capacity of mononuclear cells to produce cytokines, but with higher proportions of putative regulatory T cells. Further, children born by cesarean section (CS) had significantly higher anti-measles titers than vaginally-born children; and CS was found to be associated with delayed adaptive immunity. Also, girls presented with significantly higher anti-mumps and anti-rubella antibody levels than boys at 36 months of age. These results indicate that delayed adaptive immune maturation before and in close proximity to immunization seems to be advantageous for the ability of children to respond with higher anti-MMR antibody levels after vaccination.
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| 5. |
- Strömbeck, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Earlier infantile immune maturation is related to higher DTP vaccine responses in children
- 2016
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Ingår i: Clinical & Translational Immunology. - : Wiley. - 2050-0068. ; 5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- There are large inter-individual variations in vaccine-specific antibody responses in children. We sought to investigate whether early-life environmental factors and/or adaptive immune maturation were related to diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine-specific antibody levels at 18 months of age. In the prospective FARMFLORA birth-cohort, including both farming and non-farming families, children were immunized with DTP vaccine at 3, 5 and 12 months of age. DTP vaccine-induced antibody levels were measured in plasma at 18 months of age. Infants' blood samples obtained at birth, 3-5 days, 4, 18 and 36 months and at 8 years of age were analyzed for total CD4(+) T- and B-cell counts, proportions of naive and memory T and B cells, and fractions of putative regulatory T cells by flow cytometry. Multivariate factor analysis was used to examine associations between immune variables and vaccine responses. The most apparent multivariate pattern was that higher anti-DTP antibody titers at 18 months of age were associated with lower infantile total counts of T and B cells in the blood. Furthermore, lower infantile total T-and B-cell blood counts were associated with higher proportions of circulating CD45RO(+) memory T cells and to lower proportions of alpha 4 beta 7(+) naive T cells later in childhood. The multivariate findings were corroborated in univariate correlation analyses. Sex, delivery mode and dairy farm exposure were unrelated to the magnitude of DTP-specific antibody responses. Our results thus suggest that children with a more mature/activated infantile adaptive immunity respond with higher vaccine-induced anti-DTP antibody levels at 18 months of age.
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| 6. |
- Aldridge, Jonathan, et al.
(författare)
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Sex-based differences in association between circulating T cell subsets and disease activity in untreated early rheumatoid arthritis patients
- 2018
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Ingår i: Arthritis Research & Therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1478-6354 .- 1478-6362. ; 20:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: It is not known if sex-based disparities in immunological factors contribute to the disease process in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Hence, we examined whether circulating T cell subset proportions and their association with disease activity differed in male and female patients with untreated early rheumatoid arthritis (ueRA). Methods: Proportions of T cell subsets were analyzed in peripheral blood from 72 ueRA DMARD-and corticosteroid-naive patients (50 females and 22 males) and in 31 healthy age-and sex-matched controls. Broad analysis of helper and regulatory CD4(+) T cell subsets was done using flow cytometry. Disease activity in patients was assessed using DAS28, CDAI, swollen joint counts, tender joint counts, CRP, and ESR. Results: Multivariate factor analyses showed that male and female ueRA patients display distinct profiles of association between disease activity and circulating T cell subset proportions. In male, but not female, ueRA patients Th2 cells showed a positive association with disease activity and correlated significantly with DAS28-ESR, CDAI, and swollen and tender joint counts. Likewise, proportions of non-regulatory CTLA-4(+) T cells associated positively with disease activity in male patients only, and correlated with DAS28-ESR. In contrast, there was a negative relation between Th1Th17 subset proportions and disease activity in males only. The proportions of Th17 cells correlated positively with DAS28-ESR in males only, while proportions of Th1 cells showed no relation to disease activity in either sex. There were no significant differences in proportions of T cell subsets between the sexes in patients with ueRA. Conclusions: Our findings show sex-based differences in the association between T cell subsets and disease activity in ueRA patients, and that Th2 helper T cells may have a role in regulating disease activity in male patients.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Lundell, Anna-Carin, 1976, et al.
(författare)
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IFN type I and II induce BAFF secretion from human decidual stromal cells
- 2017
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- B cell activating factor (BAFF) is a critical cytokine for maturation of immature B cells. In murine lymph nodes, BAFF is mainly produced by podoplanin-expressing stromal cells. We have previously shown that circulating BAFF levels are maximal at birth, and that farmers' children exhibit higher BAFF levels in cord blood than non-farmers' children. Here, we sought to investigate whether maternal-derived decidual stromal cells from placenta secrete BAFF and examine what factors could stimulate this production. We found that podoplanin is expressed in decidua basalis and in the underlying villous tissue as well as on isolated maternal-derived decidual stromal cells. Decidual stromal cells produced BAFF when stimulated with IFN-gamma and IFN-alpha, and NK cells and NK-T-like cells competent of IFN-gamma production were isolated from the decidua. Finally, B cells at different maturational stages are present in decidua and all expressed BAFF-R, while stromal cells did not. These findings suggest that decidual stromal cells are a cellular source of BAFF for B cells present in decidua during pregnancy.
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| 9. |
- Lundell, Anna-Carin, 1976, et al.
(författare)
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Umbilical Cord Blood Androgen Levels in Girls and Boys Assessed by Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.
- 2017
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Ingår i: The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-1220 .- 0960-0760. ; 171, s. 195-200
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Androgen exposure of the fetus during gestation plays an important role in human physiology and pathophysiology, but assessment of androgens, in particular dihydrotestosterone (DHT), in human umbilical cord blood is technically challenging. The aim of this study was to assess umbilical cord androgen levels, including DHT, at birth by a highly sensitive assay, and study their association with sex of the infant, sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels, and gestational age at delivery. Swedish infants (27 girls, 26 boys) were recruited at maternity care clinics in Southern Sweden. Umbilical cord blood levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione, testosterone and DHT at delivery were assessed by a gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay. Cord blood levels of DHT were 2.4-fold higher in boys (median 27.8pg/mL) than in girls (11.5pg/mL), while the sex difference was less pronounced for testosterone (1.3-fold higher in boys) and non-significant for DHEA and androstenedione. Gestational age at delivery associated inversely with DHT levels in boys and with DHEA levels in girls. There was a strong inverse correlation between SHBG and DHEA in both sexes, while there were no associations between SHBG and testosterone or DHT levels. In conclusion, using state of the art technology, we report that there is a pronounced sexual dimorphism in human umbilical cord blood DHT levels. The possibility to assess a complete androgen profile in human cord blood opens up for future increased understanding of the biological impact of the fetal androgen milieu.
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| 10. |
- Pandya, Jayesh M., et al.
(författare)
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Blood chemokine profile in untreated early rheumatoid arthritis: CXCL10 as a disease activity marker
- 2017
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Ingår i: Arthritis Research and Therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1478-6354 .- 1478-6362. ; 19:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- © 2017 The Author(s).Background: We have recently analyzed the profile of T-cell subtypes based on chemokine receptor expression in blood from untreated early rheumatoid arthritis (ueRA) patients compared to healthy controls (HC). Here, we compared the levels of the respective chemokines in blood plasma of ueRA patients with those of HC. We also studied the association of chemokine levels with the proportions of circulating T-cell subsets and the clinical disease activity. Methods: Peripheral blood was obtained from 43 patients with ueRA satisfying the ACR 2010 criteria and who had not received any disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD) or prednisolone, and from 14 sex- and age-matched HC. Proportions of T helper cells in blood, including Th0, Th1, Th2, Th17, Th1Th17, TFh, and regulatory T cells, were defined by flow cytometry. Fifteen chemokines, including several CXCL and CCL chemokines related to the T-cell subtypes as well as to other major immune cells, were measured in blood plasma using flow cytometry bead-based immunoassay or ELISA. Clinical disease activity in patients was evaluated by assessing the following parameters: Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28), Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), swollen joint counts (SJC), tender joint counts (TJC), C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). The data were analyzed using multivariate factor analyses followed by univariate analyses. Results: Multivariate discriminant analysis showed that patients with ueRA were separated from HC based on the blood plasma chemokine profile. The best discriminators were CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL13, CCL4, and CCL22, which were significantly higher in ueRA compared to HC in univariate analyses. Among the chemokines analyzed, only CXCL10 correlated with multiple disease activity measures, including DAS28-CRP, DAS28-ESR, CDAI, SJC in 66 joints, CRP, and ESR. Conclusions: High circulating levels of CXCL10 in the plasma of ueRA patients and the association with the clinical disease activity suggests that CXCL10 may serve as a disease activity marker in early rheumatoid arthritis.
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