Immuno-epigenomic analysis identifies attenuated interferon responses in naïve CD4 T cells of adolescents with peanut and multi-food allergy

Abstract

Background: IgE-mediated food allergies have been linked to suboptimal naïve CD4 T (nCD4T) cell activation in infancy, underlined by epigenetic and transcriptomic variation. Similar attenuated nCD4T cell activation in adolescents with food allergy have also been reported, but these are yet to be linked to specific epigenetic or transcriptional changes. Methods: We generated genome-wide DNA methylation data in purified nCD4 T cells at quiescence and following activation in a cohort of adolescents (aged 10–15 years old) with peanut allergy (peanut only or peanut + ≥1 additional food allergy) (FA, n = 29), and age-matched non-food allergic controls (NA, n = 18). Additionally, we assessed transc..