T Cell Immunological Signatures of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Hen's Egg Allergic Children

Abstract

Background: Molecular biological analysis of the in vitro response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from children allergic to ovalbumin could help to elucidate the mechanism of IgE-mediated egg allergy in humans. Methods: PBMCs obtained from children with egg allergy who visited our clinic (December 2019 to September 2020) were subjected to in vitro stimulation by ovalbumin for 48 hours. The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signal and nuclear transcription factor expression were examined using real-time PCR-targeted mRNA of those parameters. Results: We co-cultured PBMCs with ovalbumin from persistent (n = 24), tolerant (n = 12), and control (n = 22) groups, and observed the following. (1) STAT1, STAT4, Foxp3, and STAT3 mRNA expressions fell significantly in the persistence group compared with the control group. (2) STAT4, T-bet, STAT6, GATA3, STAT5, Foxp3, STAT3, and RORγt mRNA expressions increased significantly in the tolerant group compared with the persistent group. (3) T-bet, GATA3, Foxp3, and STAT3 mRNA expressions increased significantly in the tolerant group compared with the control group. (4) PBMCs in the persistent, tolerant, and control groups did not differ significantly in CXCR5 or CD25 mRNA expression. Conclusions: Functional peripheral blood T cells changes may occur at the onset and remission of egg allergy.

Keywords

• ige-mediated egg allergy
• in vitro stimulation
• peripheral blood mononuclear cells
• real-time pcr
• th2 immune reactions