Abstract
PURPOSE: Maternal influences contribute to the origin of allergic diseases, but the mechanisms are not clear. The current literature prompted the role of epigenetics in the development of allergic diseases. We sought to investigate the roles of regulatory T (Treg) cells and Forkhead box p3 (Foxp3) DNA methylation in the process of maternal transmission of allergic rhinitis (AR) susceptibility. METHODS: BALB/c female mice (AR mother) were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) 1 on day 1 and 7. Then they mated with normal male mice on day 8. From day 21 to 28, the female mice were intranasal challenged with Der p 1 continuously. The normal controls were given with normal saline in the same way. On postnatal day 3, Female mice and their offspring were sacrificed to detect their histopathology in nasal mucosae, cytokines in sera of mother and spleen homogenates of offspring, Treg cells count, Foxp3 mRNA expressions, and Foxp3 DNA methylation levels in spleens. RESULTS: Compared with the normal controls, neonatal offspring of Der p 1-stimulated female mice (AR offspring) showed the elevation of interleukin (IL)-4 (P<0.01) and IL-17 (P<0.01), the submission of IL-10 (P<0.01) in spleen homogenates. Further, Treg cells count in AR offspring decreased remarkably compared with the normal offspring (P<0.01). Though the difference of Foxp3 DNA methylation level between AR offspring and normal control offspring was not obvious, correlation analysis demonstrated that there was significantly positive correlation between Foxp3 DNA methylation level of mother and that of offspring (r=0.803, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Under the influence of Maternal AR, their neonatal offspring develop into T-helper type 2 (Th2) dominant immune state, which is closely associated with the recession of Treg cells. Foxp3 DNA methylation may be a mechanism responsible for that maternal effect but still need more studies to ensure.