Long-term acquisition of allergen-specific IgE and asthma following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from allergic donors

Blood. 2004 Nov 15;104(10):3086-90. doi: 10.1182/blood-2004-05-1775. Epub 2004 Jul 27.

Abstract

Adoptive transfer of allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) from atopic donors to nonatopic recipients occurs during the first year following bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Mature B- and T-cell clones with allergen-specific memory and hematopoietic progenitor cells are transferred through BMT. The objective of this study was to characterize the long-term rate of allergic sensitization and development of clinical allergic diseases following BMT from atopic donors. A long-term follow-up study was conducted in a cohort of donor and recipient pairs with moderate-to-severe allergic disease in the donor prior to BMT. Assessments of allergen-specific IgE, clinical rhinitis, and asthma were made in the donors prior to BMT and in the recipients with a mean follow-up of 15.5 years after BMT. From an initial cohort of 12 bone marrow transplant recipients who received marrow from allergic donors, 5 long-term survivors were identified. Allergen-specific IgE transferred from donor to recipient following BMT frequently persisted, and a high rate of de novo allergic sensitization was observed between 1 and 14 years after BMT. These events were associated with elevation in total IgE, and development of allergic rhinitis and asthma at long-term follow-up. We conclude that marrow-derived immune cells from allergic donors can transfer the predisposition to allergy and asthma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Asthma / etiology*
  • Asthma / immunology
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / immunology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology*
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / therapy
  • Pyroglyphidae / immunology
  • Rhinitis / immunology
  • Tissue Donors
  • Transplantation, Homologous

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin E