Regulation of Cytokine Production in T-Cell Responses to Inhalant Allergen:GATA-3 Expression Distinguishesbetween Th1- and Th2-Polarized Immunity

Abstract

Upregulation of GATA-3 expression in PBMC is a hallmark of the early phase of Th2 recall responses to specific allergen in atopics. The reciprocal expression pattern observed in HDM-specific recall responses of non-atopics provides independent confirmation of the presence of underlying Th1-like immunity in these subjects. The parallel findings in neonatal T cells suggest that the same approach may be utilized for monitoring the progress of allergen-specific Th1/Th2 memory development during early childhood, and hence in assessment of risk for future allergic disease.