Cytokine production by cord blood mononuclear cells stimulated with cows milk proteins in vitro: interleukin-4 and transforming growth factor beta-secreting cells detected in the CD45RO T cell population in children of atopic mothers.

Background: Food antigens from the maternal circulation may sensitize fetal T cells in utero and be an important determinant in the development of food allergy.

Methods: Here we have examined the spontaneous and recall response to cow's milk proteins of cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) of newborn children, using single cell ELISPOT assays.

Results: In term newborns, confirming previous studies, the spontaneous cytokine response of CBMC is dominated by IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and as shown here for the first time, TGF-beta.