Food protein‐induced allergic proctocolitis in infants is associated with low serum levels of macrophage inflammatory protein‐3a

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundFood protein‐induced allergic proctocolitis (FPIAP) is a nonimmunoglobulin (IgE)‐mediated food hypersensitivity and the exact mechanisms that cause FPIAP are unknown. Chemokines play crucial roles in the development of allergic diseases.ObjectiveTo examine serum levels of a group of chemokines in infants with FPIAP.MethodsIn 67 infants with FPIAP and 65 healthy infants, we measured serum levels of mucosa‐associated epithelial chemokine (MEC/CCL28), thymus‐expressed chemokine (TECK/CCL25), CX3CL1 and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐3a/CCL20.ResultsInfants with FPIAP had a lower median value of MIP3a/CCL20 than healthy infants [0.7 (0–222) vs. 4 (0–249) pg/mL, respectively] (p < 0.001). Infants with MIP3a/CCL20 levels ≤0.95 pg/mL have 13.93 times more risk of developing FPIAP than infants with MIP3a/CCL20 levels >0.95 pg/mL. Serum MEC/CCL28, TECK/CCL25, and CX3CL1 levels were similar between the infants with FPIAP and the control group.ConclusionMIP3a/CCL20 serum levels were reduced in infants with FPIAP compared with healthy controls. Whether this finding has a role in pathogenesis remains to be determined.