| Exposure to dogs is associated with a decreased tumour necrosis factor-α-producing capacity in early life. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20633030 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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BACKGROUND: It appears that contacts with furred animals early in life and already during gestation contribute to the immunological development in humans, but the mechanisms and relevant exposures are not clear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether exposure to animals during pregnancy and the first year of life is associated with early immune development, determined as stimulated cytokine responses of children at birth and at age 1 year. METHODS: Cord blood (n=228) and peripheral venous blood (n=200) samples 1 year after birth were collected and stimulated with Gram-positive superantigen Staphylococcal enterotoxin B, Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the combination of mitogenic phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and calcium ionophore ionomycin (P/I) for 24 and 48 h. TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-5, IL-8 and IL-10 responses were measured by ELISA. For each cytokine, the time-point with the highest response was chosen for further analyses. Animal contacts were surveyed by self-administered questionnaires. RESULTS: Dog ownership was associated with decreased TNF-α-producing capacity at birth (P/I: median 841 vs. 881 pg/10(6) WBC, P=0.05) and 1 year after birth (P/I: 1290 vs. 1530, P=0.01; LPS: 425 vs. 508, P=0.02). Associations remained significant after adjustment for potential confounders. Cat ownership was not associated with cytokine production. CONCLUSION: Having a dog in the household in infancy and already during pregnancy may be associated with reduced innate immune responses in early childhood. The observed attenuation of cytokine production may help in preventing exaggerated immune responses against harmless antigens later in life. Thus, intensive exposure to dogs in early life may be beneficial during normal immune maturation. |
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Authors:
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M H J Lappalainen; K Huttunen; M Roponen; S Remes; M-R Hirvonen; J Pekkanen |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology Volume: 40 ISSN: 1365-2222 ISO Abbreviation: Clin. Exp. Allergy Publication Date: 2010 Oct |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-10-12 Completed Date: 2011-01-25 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8906443 Medline TA: Clin Exp Allergy Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 1498-506 Citation Subset: IM |
Copyright Information:
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© 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. |
Affiliation:
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Department of Environmental Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland. mikko.lappalainen@thl.fi |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Cats Cytokines / biosynthesis, blood, immunology Dogs / immunology* Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Female Fetal Blood / immunology Humans Infant Infant, Newborn Pets / immunology* Pregnancy / immunology* Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis*, blood, immunology |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Cytokines; 0/Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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