Immunological development of preterm infants in early infancy

Zhang, B.; Ohtsuka, Yoshikazu; Fujii, Tohru; Baba, Haruna; Okada, Kyo; Shoji, Hiromichi; Nagata, Satoru; Shimizu, Toshiaki; Yamashiro, Yuichiro

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2249.2005.02741.x

Cited by 18 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…However, an increase in serum levels during the first weeks in preterm infants has been reported [31,32] . It has been speculated that this elevation is the second wave of inflammatory markers following the stimulus of an earlier first wave of inflammatory response or that it is a physiologically important signal for future T cell maturation and thereby important for the infant to prevent inappropriate immunological reactions resulting in an immature immune system.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proliferative Retinopathy Is Associated with Impaired Increase in BDNF and RANTES Expression Levels after Preterm Birth

Hellgren

Willett²,

Engström³

et al. 2010

Neonatology

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Background: Extremely preterm delivery is, amongst other complications, associated with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Untreated, ROP can progress to visual impairment and blindness due to an overgrowth of new vessels in the retina and vitreous cavity. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify cytokine markers within the first weeks of life that could be used to predict the risk for development of ROP later in life. Methods: Serum levels of 27 different cytokines in infants born at gestational weeks 23–30 were analyzed using a multiplex immunoassay method and compared between infants who did not develop ROP and infants who later developed proliferative ROP. In addition, mRNA levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in retinas from mice exposed to hyperoxia were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR. Results: At birth, serum levels of IL-5 were higher in infants with no ROP compared to infants with proliferative ROP. 10–14 days after birth, serum levels of BDNF and RANTES were lower in infants who later developed proliferative ROP compared to infants who did not develop ROP. Furthermore, mRNA expression levels of BDNF in retinas from mice exposed to hyperoxia were significantly lower at postnatal day 15 compared to retinas from mice in room air. Conclusions: These results indicate that BDNF and RANTES may be important factors in the selective vulnerability of ROP development in preterm infants.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proliferative Retinopathy Is Associated with Impaired Increase in BDNF and RANTES Expression Levels after Preterm Birth

Hellgren

Willett²,

Engström³

et al. 2010

Neonatology

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“…Thus, it also appears necessary to think of other end points than antibody concentrations to assess vaccine efficacy particularly in the elderly as also the cellular immune response may be impaired by the mechanisms of immunosenescence or due to underlying health conditions or immunosuppressive treatments for cancer, autoimmune disorders or chronic inflammatory conditions. Whereas most of the reasons for a low Th1 response in neonates and small infants are well understood [4,5,6], elderly persons have a high heterogeneity in their health states, and therefore a focus should be put on the exploration and restoration of the age-dependent immune dysregulation to improve immune functions. Thus, biomarkers of immunosenescence need to be defined which help to identify elderly persons in whom newly applied vaccines are likely to show low efficacy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Th1-mediated responses, such as IFN-γ release and cytotoxicity, are developed soon after birth [4]. In preterm neonates, a higher susceptibility to viral infections was attributed to a relatively impaired IFN-γ production by γδ T cells within the first month of life [5].…”

Section: Age-associated Changes Of the Immune Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Neonates and small infants have a high risk to suffer from severe influenza-associated illness due to their lack of prior exposures to the influenza virus and their reduced immune responsiveness which is probably caused by their tendency to preferentially develop type 2 immune responses with less activation of IFN-γ-specific responses and cytotoxic activity of T cells [4,5,6]. …”

Section: Response To Vaccinations In Neonates and In The Aged Populationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Differential Approaches for Vaccination from Childhood to Old Age

Prelog¹

2012

Gerontology

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Primary prevention strategies, such as vaccinations at the age extremes, in neonates and elderly individuals, demonstrate a challenge to health professionals and public health specialists. The aspects of the differentiation and maturation of the adaptive immune system, the functional implications of immunological immaturity or immunosenescence and its impact on vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy will be highlighted in this review. Several approaches have been undertaken to promote Th1 responses in neonates and to enhance immune functions in elderly, such as conjugation to carrier proteins, addition of adjuvants, concomitant vaccination with other vaccines, change in antigen concentrations or dose intervals or use of different administration routes. Also, early protection by maternal vaccination seems to be beneficial in neonates. However, it also appears necessary to think of other end points than antibody concentrations to assess vaccine efficacy in neonates or elderly, as also the cellular immune response may be impaired by the mechanisms of immaturity, underlying health conditions, immunosuppressive treatments or immunosenescence. Thus, lifespan vaccine programs should be implemented to all individuals on a population level not only to improve herd protection and to maintain protective antibody levels and immune memory, but also to cover all age groups, to protect unvaccinated elderly persons and to provide indirect protection for neonates and small infants.

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“…In the present study, we found that the expression of CCR-5 was higher than that of CCR-4, suggesting an immunological shift toward Th1 cell types in the liver. Our previous study showed that the expression of CCR-4 mRNA develops after birth [25]. Higher expression of CCR-5 might indicate the immunological change in biliary atresia.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%