Helper T-lymphocyte-related chemokines in healthy newborns

Atopic disease is characterized by an imbalance in cytokines secreted from Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes. The association between atopy and serum levels of atopy-related chemokines in umbilical cord blood (UCB) has not been evaluated. This study formulates the reference ranges of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), eotaxin (EOX), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), and interferon-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) in UCB of term neonates and investigates the relation between these chemokines and the development of atopy during infancy. The concentrations of total IgE and chemokines in UCB serum were measured by microparticle immunoassay and sandwich enzyme immunoassay, respectively. A total of 124 singleton healthy newborns were investigated. Fifty-three (43%) infants had family history of allergic diseases, and 26 (21%) had increased serum total IgE concentrations. The median (interquartile range) serum TARC, MDC, EOX, MCP-1, and IP-10 concentrations, in pg/mL, were 425 (300-639), 786 (561-1050), 36 (28-45), 156 (116-205), and 38 (29-49), respectively. Multiparity was associated with increased serum MDC (p = 0.017). Serum chemokine concentrations were not associated with total IgE levels or family history of allergies. The median (interquartile range) serum MDC concentrations in newborns who developed wheezing during infancy and those without wheezing were 1259 pg/mL (945-1523) and 782 pg/mL (551-992), respectively (p = 0.010). This study provides reference ranges of Th-specific chemokines in UCB serum of singleton term neonates. Increased serum MDC concentrations at birth are associated with the occurrence of wheezing during infancy.