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Reduced levels of soluble CD14 in atopic children
1Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Division of Paediatrics, and Clinical Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden. helzd@imk.liu.se
Insights
Atopic children show reduced soluble CD14 (sCD14) levels, potentially indicating a weaker response to microbial signals. This finding may link reduced microbial exposure to the rise in childhood atopic diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Microbiology
Background:
- Increasing prevalence of atopic diseases in industrialized nations is linked to reduced microbial stimulation.
- Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) play a crucial role in Th1/Th2 balance via pattern recognition receptors like CD14.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if atopic children exhibit lower CD14 expression on monocytes and reduced soluble CD14 (sCD14) levels.
- To explore the relationship between sCD14 levels and the development of atopic disease in children.
Main Methods:
- Prospective follow-up of 76 children from birth, evaluating atopic disease signs.
- Flow cytometry used to analyze monocyte CD14 expression at multiple time points (0-18 months).
- ELISA for sCD14 and fluoroenzymo immunoassay for total IgE analyzed at various ages, with a subgroup followed to 7 years.
Main Results:
- Reduced sCD14 levels were observed at 7 years in children with current or cumulative atopy compared to non-atopic children (P=0.002, P=0.001).
- Children with atopic symptoms and sensitization had significantly lower sCD14 at 3, 18 months, and 7 years compared to non-atopic, non-sensitized children (P=0.023, P=0.039, P=0.008).
Conclusions:
- Lower sCD14 levels in atopic children might stem from genetic predisposition or the disease itself.
- These findings suggest that reduced sCD14 could reflect an impaired capacity to respond to microbial signals, contributing to atopy development.
Background:
A reduced microbial stimulation has been reported as a reason for the increasing prevalence of atopic diseases in industrialized countries. Antigen-presenting cells (APC), responding to microbial signals by pattern recognition receptors such as CD14, have an important role in the development of the Th1/Th2 balance.
Objective:
We hypothesized that atopic children have a lower expression of CD14 on monocytes and lower soluble CD14 levels (sCD14).
Methods:
Seventy-six children were followed prospectively from birth and signs of atopic disease were evaluated. The expression of CD14 on monocytes was analysed with flow cytometry at 0, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months. Circulating levels of sCD14 were analysed by ELISA and total IgE was analysed by fluoroenzymo immunoassay at these ages, and in a subgroup, followed up at 7 years.
Results:
Levels of sCD14 were reduced at 7 years both in children with a current or a cumulative history of atopy compared to non-atopic children with P=0.002 and 0.001, respectively. Sensitized children with atopic symptoms had lower sCD14 at 3 and 18 months and at 7 years of age than non-atopic non-sensitized children with P=0.023, 0.039 and 0.008, respectively.
Conclusion:
The lower levels of sCD14 observed in atopic children may be a consequence of an atopic family heredity and/or atopic disease, but it may also reflect a reduced capacity to respond to microbial signals.
