Cord blood Th2-related chemokine CCL22 levels associate with elevated total-IgE during preschool age

Abstract

Background: Early-life immune deviation is suspected in the inception of atopic disease. Objective: To investigate the association between cord blood chemokines and the subsequent development of atopic biomarkers and clinical end-points during the first 6 years of life. Methods: The Th1-associated chemokines CXCL10 and CXCL11 and the Th2-associated chemokines CCL17 and CCL22 were assessed in cord blood of asymptomatic at-risk newborn children from the Copenhagen Prospective Study on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC2000) birth cohort and associated with the longitudinal development of biomarkers and clinical end-points of asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinitis during the first 6 years of life. Results: Cord blood CCL22 levels were significantly associated to total-IgE levels measured at four time-points during the first 6 years of life; overall odds ratio, 1.54 [CI, 1.25-1.89; P < 0.0001]. CXCL10 and CXCL11 were not associated with development of any atopic disorders or biomarkers. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: High cord blood levels of the Th2 related chemokine CCL22 were significantly associated with high total- IgE levels during the first 6 years of life, but not with specific sensitization, asthma, eczema or allergic rhinitis. This suggests an inborn skewing of the immune system in healthy newborns developing elevated total- IgE later in life. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.