Age-Related Changes of Transforming Growth Factor β1 in Japanese Children

• Main Authors: Masahiro Morimoto, Eiko Matsui, Norio Kawamoto, Satomi Sakurai, Hideo Kaneko, Toshiyuki Fukao, Shinichi Iwasa, Makoto Shiraki, Kimiko Kasahara, Naomi Kondo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2009-01-01
• Series: Allergology International
• Subjects: bronchial asthma; single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP); transforming growth factorβ1 (TGFβ1); umbilical cord blood
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1323893015306675

Background: Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) is an important factor in immunomodulation. The expression of TGFβ1 has been shown to be influenced by the C-509 T polymorphism in the TGFβ1 gene. We investigated age-related changes of plasma TGFβ1 levels in a birth-cohort study. In addition, the genotypes of the C-509 T polymorphism were investigated in allergic and non-allergic subjects. Methods: Sixty-four neonates who met the following criteria were enrolled in this cohort study: 1) full-term vaginally delivery; 2) underwent DNA polymorphism analysis; and 3) questionnaire forms were filled out by parents at 0, 6 and 14 months of age. The umbilical cord blood at 0 months and peripheral blood at 6, and 14 months were collected. Plasma TGFβ1 levels were measured at 0, 6 and 14 months of age. Genomic DNA was extracted from their umbilical cord blood. The genotype of the subjects was examined for the presence of C- 509 T. Results: The plasma TGFβ1 level at 6 months was the highest of the 3 measurements (at 0, 6, and 14 months of age). The TGFβ1 levels at 14 months in allergic subjects were significantly higher than those in non-allergic subjects (p = 0.03). All subjects with bronchial asthma (n = 3) had the TT genotype of the C-509 T polymorphism. Conclusions: The plasma TGFβ1 levels change with age. In addition, TGFβ1 may play a role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma.