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Brain-derived neurotrophic factor selectively enhances allergen-specific IgE production
1Department of Allergy, Satou Hospital, 65-1, Yabuhigashimachi, Hirakata-City, Osaka Prefecture 573-1124, Japan. kimata@misugikai.jp
Neuropeptides
|July 20, 2005
Summary
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) boosts Japanese cedar pollen (JCP)-specific IgE production in allergy patients. This suggests BDNF may worsen allergic reactions by promoting IgE antibody generation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Allergology
Background:
- Allergic keratoconjunctivitis is an immune response to allergens like Japanese cedar pollen (JCP).
- The role of neurotrophic factors, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), in modulating allergic responses is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of BDNF on Japanese cedar pollen (JCP)-specific IgE production in vitro.
- To explore BDNF's influence on cytokine profiles in patients with JCP allergy.
Main Methods:
- Mononuclear cells from JCP-allergic patients were cultured with JCP.
- BDNF was added to cultures to assess its impact on JCP-specific IgE, IgA, and IgG4 production.
- Cytokine production (IFN-gamma, IL-12, IL-4, IL-10, IL-13) was analyzed.
- Neutralizing anti-BDNF monoclonal antibody (mAb) was used to confirm specificity.
Main Results:
- BDNF significantly enhanced JCP-specific IgE production in a dose-dependent manner, with maximal effect at 10 ng/ml.
- BDNF did not affect JCP-specific IgA or IgG4 production.
- Other neurotrophins (NGF, NT-3) did not enhance JCP-specific IgE production.
- Anti-BDNF mAb blocked the enhancement of IgE production.
- BDNF decreased Th1 cytokine production (IFN-gamma, IL-12) but did not affect Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13), suggesting a shift towards a Th2-dominant pattern.
Conclusions:
- BDNF promotes the production of allergen-specific IgE in JCP-allergic individuals.
- BDNF may exacerbate allergic symptoms by skewing the immune response towards a Th2-type profile.
- These findings highlight a potential role for BDNF in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases.
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