Serum levels of two immunological markers, the soluble low affinity receptor for IgE (sFCepsilonRII, sCD23) and soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R), and their correlation with age, gender and the onset of childhood atopy

Abstract

Identifying predictive indicators of atopy could allow for the early intervention and/or prevention of atopic associated diseases within individuals identified to be at high risk. Two immunological factors advanced as candidates for such a role are sCD23 and sCD25. Soluble CD23 and CD25 expression were therefore examined in the cord blood of over 300 healthy newborns enrolled in the Tucson Children's Respiratory study. Additionally these factors were measured in sera drawn from these patients between the ages of 4-9. Determinations were made using commercially available sCD23 and sCD25 ELISA assays. Results indicate these markers are measurable in cord samples, they are not influenced by gender, and soluble CD23 and CD25 levels decrease with age. Increasing levels of sCD23 and sCD25 did not correlate with increasing expression of IgE. Experimental data derived in this study indicate these factors will not serve as independent, predictive indicators of future asthma, hayfever or eczema.