Dysregulation of lymphokine production in the neonate and its impact on neonatal cell mediated immunity

Haematopoiesis and immune functions in cord blood (CB) are developmentally immature when compared with adult peripheral blood (APB). The defects in CB immune function and cytokine production may both contribute to the immaturity of CB immunity. We have studied the mechanisms associated with the dysr...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Vaccine 1998-08, Vol.16 (14), p.1369-1377
Main Authors: Suen, Yu, Lee, Sun min, Qian, John, van de Ven, Carmella, Cairo, Mitchell S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aging - blood
Aging - immunology
Analysis of the immune response. Humoral and cellular immunity
Biological and medical sciences
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Fundamental immunology
Humans
immunity
Immunity, Cellular - immunology
Immunobiology
Infant, Newborn - blood
Infant, Newborn - immunology
Infant, Newborn - physiology
Killer Cells, Natural - immunology
lymphokines
Lymphokines - biosynthesis
Lymphokines - blood
Lymphokines - immunology
Lymphokines, interleukins ( function, expression)
neonatal
Regulatory factors and their cellular receptors
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Haematopoiesis and immune functions in cord blood (CB) are developmentally immature when compared with adult peripheral blood (APB). The defects in CB immune function and cytokine production may both contribute to the immaturity of CB immunity. We have studied the mechanisms associated with the dysregulation of myeloid lineage cytokines, GM-CSF and M-CSF, and lymphokines, IL-12, and IL-15 in activated CB when compared with APB MNC. Furthermore, we have studied the effects of IL-12 and IL-15 on induction of IFN-γ and TNF-α production, NK, and LAK activities in CB and APB. GM-CSF, M-CSF, IL-12 and IL-15 protein and mRNA are decreased in activated CB MNC. These discrepancies are secondary, at least in part, to the altered post-transcriptional regulation. The impaired ability of CB to produce IL-12 and IL-15 in response to stimulation may contribute to the decrease in IFN-γ, TNF-α production, NK and LAK activities. Furthermore, combination of low dose IL-12 and IL-15 may augment cytotoxic activities and minimize toxicity. These findings suggest that reduced cytokine expression from activated CB may contribute to the impaired CB cellular immunity and exogenous lymphokines may compensate for the immaturity in CB.
ISSN:0264-410X
1873-2518
DOI:10.1016/S0264-410X(98)00094-2