Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein (MCP)-1 in Rotavirus-Associated White Matter Injury in Newborns

Abstract

Recent reports have suggested an association between rotavirus infection and a distinctive pattern of white matter injury (WMI) in neonates with seizures; however, the connection between the two is not fully understood. To evaluate the underlying mechanism, we profiled and compared eight cytokines (IL [interleukin]-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-γ [interferon-γ ], MCP-1 [monocyte chemoattractant protein-1], MIP-1β [macrophage inflammatory protein-1β], and TNF-α [tumor necrosis factor-α]) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 33 neonates with seizures who had no other well-known causes of seizures and 13 control patients (rotavirus-induced gastroenteritis but without seizures). Among the 33 neonates with seizures, 9 showed WMI and all were infected with rotavirus (R + W + ). Among the 24 patients without WMI, 11 were infected with rotavirus (R + W − ) and 13 were not (R − W − ).Only MCP-1 and MIP-1β were different between the groups. MCP-1 was increased in R+ W+ compared with R + W− (p < 0.01), R − W− (p < 0.01), and control (p = 0.03) patients. MIP-1β was decreased in R + W+ compared with R − W− (p < 0.01) and control (p < 0.01), but not R + W− (p = 0.23) patients. MCP-1 and MIP-1β are C-C chemokines that recruit immune cells to the site of inflammation. Our pilot study suggests MCP-1-mediated monocyte recruitment may be linked with this complication caused by rotavirus.

Rotavirus infection-associated central nervous system complications: clinicoradiological features and potential mechanisms

“…14,113) Newborns with rotavirus-associated leukoencephalopathy have significantly higher IL-6, IFN-γ, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels in the CSF than the control group. 114,115) Furthermore, CSF…”

“…Clinical studies have shown that rotavirus gastroenteritis is associated with increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) [ 14 , 113 ]. Newborns with rotavirus-associated leukoencephalopathy have significantly higher IL-6, IFN-γ, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels in the CSF than the control group [ 114 , 115 ]. Furthermore, CSF IL-6 levels correlate positively with white matter lesion extent.…”