Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus are differentially associated with numbers of cytokine-producing cells and early atopy

• Published in: Clinical and experimental allergy 2009-04, Vol.39 (4), p.509-517
• Main Authors: Nilsson, C., Larsson Sigfrinius, A.-K., Montgomery, S. M., Sverremark-Ekström, E., Linde, A., Lilja, G., Blomberg, M. T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biologi; Biological and medical sciences; Biology; Cell and molecular biology; Cell- och molekylärbiologi; Child, Preschool; childhood; CMV; cytokines; Cytokines - immunology; Cytokines - metabolism; Cytomegalovirus; Cytomegalovirus - immunology; Cytomegalovirus Infections - immunology; Cytomegalovirus Infections - virology; EBV; Epstein-Barr virus; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - immunology; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - virology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Herpesvirus 4, Human - immunology; Humans; Hypersensitivity - immunology; Hypersensitivity - virology; IgE-sensitization; Immunoglobulin E - blood; Immunologi; Immunology; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infectious diseases; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - drug effects; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - immunology; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - metabolism; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - virology; Male; Medical sciences; MEDICIN; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; MEDICINE; Microbiology, immunology, infectious diseases; Mikrobiologi, immunologi, infektionssjukdomar; NATURAL SCIENCES; NATURVETENSKAP; Phytohemagglutinins - pharmacology; Prospective Studies; Skin Tests; Viral diseases
• ISSN: 0954-7894; 1365-2222; 1365-2222
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2008.03147.x

Summary Background We have previously shown that Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) seropositivity, at 2 years of age, was inversely related to IgE‐sensitization and that this effect was enhanced when EBV is combined with cytomegalovirus (CMV) seropositivity. We hypothesize that early exposure to EBV or CMV will affect the cytokine balance in the individual. Objective The aim of this study was to relate the cytokine profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to the EBV and CMV serostatus and IgE‐sensitization in children at 2 years of age. Methods Seventy‐five children were followed prospectively from birth until 2 years of age. Their EBV and CMV serostatus was correlated to the numbers of IFN‐γ, IL‐4, IL‐10 and IL‐12‐producing PBMC following PHA stimulation in vitro. Skin prick tests and allergen‐specific IgE antibodies were used to assess IgE‐sensitization. Results In the study cohort, there was an inverse association between EBV seropositivity and IgE‐sensitization but not with CMV seropositivity. Following linear regression analysis, we did not detect any statistically significant associations between children with IgG antibodies against EBV at 2 years of age and the investigated cytokines. However, there was a non‐significant tendency to a positive association between high numbers of all individual cytokine‐producing cells and EBV seropositivity. Children who were CMV seropositive had significantly higher numbers of IFN‐γ and lower numbers of IL‐4‐producing cells compared with CMV negative children. There was a significant, positive association between the number of IL‐4‐producing cells and IgE‐sensitization. Conclusion Taken together our results indicate that infections with EBV and CMV in different ways will interact with the immune system and may protect children from developing early atopy.