Pre-conceptional maternal immunization with dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus on offspring type I hypersensitivity response

• Grant number: 13/01317-8
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): July 01, 2013
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Cellular Immunology
• Principal researcher: Jefferson Russo Victor
• Grantee: Aline Aparecida de Lima Lira
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Over the last 10 years, our research group has been evaluating the effect of pre-conceptional maternal immunization with allergens on offspring type I hypersensitivity response. Recently, we show that maternal immunization with ovalbumin (OVA) could regulate allergy development on offspring and this was due to immunocomplex formation of maternal antibodies combined with allergen and an increased expression of FcgRIIb inhibitory receptors on offspring B cells (Victor, Muniz, et al. 2010). The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of maternal immunization with the dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) a potent inducer of allergy in humans. The expression of FcgRIIb receptor on B cells, total IgE, and anti-Der p IgG1 production will be evaluated on offspring at 3 days old (d.o.) and after neonatal immunization with Der p. Furthermore, offspring pulmonary response will be evaluated at 60 d.o.The results obtained with this project will yield parameters to compare the mechanisms involved on maternal immunization effects upon offspring allergy development after immunization with OVA or Der p. This could approach our results from those observed in humans. (AU)