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Published on: May 31, 2021
Elevation of plasma eotaxin levels in children with food allergy
Hiroki Matsuura1, Akira Ishiguro, Hiroyuki Abe
1Department of Pediatrics, Mizonokuchi Hospital, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.
Insights
Elevated eotaxin-1 plasma levels were observed in children with food allergies. This suggests eotaxin-1 plays a role in pediatric food allergy pathogenesis, though not directly correlated with eosinophil counts or IgE.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergy Research
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Eosinophils are key mediators in allergic reactions.
- Eotaxin, a CC chemokine, selectively recruits eosinophils.
- The role of eotaxin in pediatric food allergies requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the significance of eotaxin in pediatric food allergies.
- To compare eotaxin-1 and eotaxin-3 levels in children with and without food allergies.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure plasma eotaxin-1 and eotaxin-3 levels.
- Peripheral blood eosinophil counts and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were assessed.
- Study included 35 children with food allergy, 18 with atopic dermatitis, and 19 controls.
Main Results:
- Plasma eotaxin-1 levels were significantly elevated in children with food allergy compared to controls (P<0.001).
- Circulating eosinophil counts were also higher in children with food allergy.
- No correlation was found between eotaxin-1 levels and eosinophil counts or serum IgE in food allergy patients.
Conclusions:
- Plasma eotaxin-1 levels are increased in children diagnosed with food allergies.
- The findings suggest a role for eotaxin-1 in the pathophysiology of pediatric food allergies.
Background:
Eosinophils play an important role in allergic responses. Eotaxin is a CC chemokine that promotes the selective recruitment of eosinophils. This study was performed to investigate the significance of eotaxin in pediatric food allergies.
Methods:
The study population included 35 patients with food allergy, 18 patients with atopic dermatitis but without food allergy, and 19 age-matched non-allergic controls. Eotaxin-1 and eotaxin-3 levels in plasma were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Simultaneously, eosinophil counts in peripheral blood and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) values were assessed.
Results:
Plasma eotaxin-1 levels were 93.6+/-33.4 pg/ml in patients with food allergy, 78.0+/-31.8 pg/ml in patients with atopic dermatitis, and 60.4+/-15.7 pg/ml in controls. Differences between the food allergy and control groups were significant (P<0.001). Circulating eosinophil counts in patients with food allergy were higher than those in controls (5.84+/-9.46x10(9)/l vs. 1.20+/-1.11x10(9)/l, P<0.001). Nevertheless, eotaxin-1 levels in children with food allergy were not correlated with eosinophil counts or serum IgE levels. There were no significant differences in eotaxin-3 levels between the 3 groups.
Conclusion:
Plasma levels of eotaxin-1 were elevated in children with food allergy. The pathophysiological relevance of the increase in eotaxin is discussed.
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