Interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-beta1 in cord blood: relationship with paternal allergy and cesarean section.

AIM: To measure Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in cord blood and assess their relationship with parental allergy and perinatal characteristics.

METHODS

In a neonatal care unit 212 consecutive full-term and appropriate for gestational age newborns were recruited. IL-10 and TGF-beta1 levels were determined in cord blood by high sensitivity ELISA. Perinatal characteristics, mode of delivery and presence of allergy in parents were recorded.

RESULTS

Out of 212 newborns, 136 were of non-allergic parents and 76 (35.8%) of one or both allergic parents. In newborns of allergic fathers median IL-10 levels tended to be lower (0.67 vs. 1.06 pg/mL, p = 0.07) and TGF-beta1 levels were significantly lower (40.9 vs. 45.3 ng/mL, p = 0.008) than in newborns of non-allergic parents. Multiple general regression analysis showed that presence of paternal allergy (beta=-0.19, p = 0.003) to be born by cesarean section (beta=-0.21, p = 0.03) and younger gestational age (beta= 0.14, p = 0.04) independently contributed to decrease TGF-beta1 levels (multiple R = 0.38, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Paternal allergy and cesarean section are associated to decreased TGF-beta1, which might be the mediator of the increased risk of atopy development. Cord blood IL-10 and TGF-beta1 levels of our newborn series could be used as reference values for further studies on these relationships.