Clin Exp Allergy. 2016 Jun 2. [Epub ahead of print]
Jepsen AA, Chawes BL, Carson CG, Schoos AM, Thysen AH, Waage J, Brix S, Bisgaard H
BACKGROUND
We recently demonstrated a dual effect of breastfeeding with increased risk of eczema and decreased risk of wheezing in early childhood by increasing breastfeeding length. We hypothesize that immune mediators in breast milk could explain such association either through a direct effect or as a surrogate marker of maternal immune constitution.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the possible association between cytokine and chemokine levels in breast milk and development of eczema and recurrent wheeze during early childhood.
METHODS
Levels of 19 pro-inflammatory and immune-regulatory cytokines and chemokines were measured in 223 breast milk samples from mothers in the Copenhagen Prospective Study on Asthma in Childhood2000 high-risk birth cohort. Eczema and recurrent wheeze at age 0-3 years were prospectively diagnosed by COPSAC pediatricians adherent to predefined validated algorithms. Association analyses were performed by Cox regression adjusting for potential confounding factors and by multivariable principle component analysis.
RESULTS
Increased IL-1β in breast milk (≥0.7 pg/mL) was associated with more than a halved risk of eczema before age three (aHR=0.41; 95%CI=0.24-0.68; p<0.001), which remained significant after false discovery rate adjustment (p=0.008). The principle component analysis confirmed that a mediator pattern dominated by high IL-1β, IL-17A, and CCL17 and low CXCL1 and TSLP in breast milk protected against eczema (aHR=0.82; 95%CI=0.68-0.98; p=0.03). No associations were observed for recurrent wheeze.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Elevated maternal breast milk IL-1β associated with decreased risk of early childhood eczema suggesting IL-1β as a proxy for a healthy maternal immune system protecting high-risk offspring from eczema, or through a direct effect on the infant. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS
breastfeeding; chemokines; cytokines; eczema; immune mediators
PMID: 27251401
