Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ1) in breast milk and indicators of infant atopy in a birth cohort. Issue 3 (13th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Joseph, Christine L. M.; Havstad, Suzanne; Bobbitt, Kevin; Woodcroft, Kimberley; Zoratti, Edward M.; Nageotte, Christian; Misiak, Rana; Enberg, Robert; Nicholas, Charlotte; Ezell, Jerel M.; Ownby, Dennis R.; Johnson, Christine Cole
• Is Part Of: Pediatric allergy and immunology. Volume 25:Issue 3(2014)
• Page Start: 257
• Page End: 263
• Publication Date: 2014-02-13
• Subjects: Allergy in children -- Periodicals; Immunologic diseases in children -- Periodicals; 617
• DOI: 10.1111/pai.12205
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0905-6157

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="pai12205-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="pai12205-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>The infant gut's ability to suppress immunologic reactions to food proteins could be influenced by levels of TGFβ in breast milk. We hypothesized that lower levels of TGFβ<sub>1</sub> in the breast milk (BM) of mothers in the WHEALS birth cohort are associated with atopy at infant age 2–3 yrs.</p> </sec> <sec id="pai12205-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>We used data collected during infancy in addition to the results of skin prick tests (SPT+) and measures of specific IgE >0.35 IU/ml (spIgE) to milk, egg, and peanut at infant age 2–3 years. Infants were classified as food allergic (FA) based on parental report of infant symptoms/diagnoses and information from clinical assessments.</p> </sec> <sec id="pai12205-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Data for 304 cohort members were analyzed. Among non‐black infants, BM‐TGFβ<sub>1</sub> was lower for those classified as FA (vs. no FA) and those SPT+ (vs., SPT‐), geometric mean = 1100 pg/ml vs. 1417pg/ml, p = 0.081; and 1100 pg/ml vs. 1415pg/ml, p = 0.064, respectively. Among infants of non‐atopic mothers, BM‐TGFβ<sub>1</sub> was lower for those with elevated (vs. not elevated) sIgE, geometric mean = 1347 pg/ml vs. 1651 pg/ml, p = 0.047. Using logistic regression, adjusted odds ratios describing the association of BM‐TGFβ<sub>1</sub> to the presence of atopic indicators in the infant were in the hypothesized direction only for non‐black infants of non‐atopic mothers: aORs for FA, sIgE and SPT+ were 0.08, 0.34, and 0.26 respectively; p = 0.091, 0.13, and 0.23.</p> </sec> <sec id="pai12205-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Immune benefit of BM‐TGFβ<sub>1</sub> could inform prevention strategies. Evidence of an association appears greatly influenced by infant race and maternal atopy. More research can determine if these relationships represent a modifiable risk factor for the development of food allergy in certain subgroups.</p> </sec> </abstract>