Ultrasonographic measurement of thymus size in IUGR fetuses: a marker of the fetal immunoendocrine response to malnutrition

Cromi, Antonella; Ghezzi, Fabio; Raffaelli, Ricciarda; Bergamini, Valentino; Siesto, Gabriele; Bolis, Pierfrancesco

doi:10.1002/uog.6320

Cited by 77 publications

(93 citation statements)

References 30 publications

(46 reference statements)

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“…Our finding of decreased cell count and organ weight in our IUGR model is consistent with studies in IUGR humans at birth of decreased thymus size (11,12) and decreased total white blood cell count (14). The thymus size in the P0 IUGR pups was decreased to a greater extent than the decrease in IUGR pup weight, demonstrating that the thymus was prefer- entially affected by UPI.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Intrauterine Growth Restriction Alters T-Lymphocyte Cell Number and Dual Specificity Phosphatase 1 Levels in the Thymus of Newborn and Juvenile Rats

Contreras

Hale

et al. 2011

Pediatr Res

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Intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) infants have increased susceptibility to infection associated with higher risk of illness and death. Dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1), which is transcribed in the thymus, increases in quantity as T cells mature and differentiate into CD4ϩ cells. Little is known about how IUGR affects DUSP1 levels and T-cell subpopulations over time. We hypothesized that IUGR would decrease cell count, CD4ϩ and CD8ϩ subpopulations of T lymphocytes, and DUSP1 levels in IUGR rat thymus and spleen. Bilateral uterine artery ligation produced IUGR rats. Thymus and spleen were harvested at P0 and P21. Flow cytometry was used to compare CD4ϩ and CD8ϩ lymphocyte populations. Real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to determine DUSP1 quantity. IUGR significantly decreased total cell count in P0 and P21 IUGR male and female thymus. IUGR significantly increased CD4ϩ cells in IUGR P0 males and females, significantly decreased CD4ϩ cells in P21 female thymus, and significantly altered DUSP1 levels in the IUGR female thymus at P0 and P21, although it is not yet known whether the change in DUSP1 levels is due to a change in the level per cell or to a change in cellular composition of the thymus. (Pediatr Res 70: 123-129, 2011)

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…The thymus plays a crucial role in adaptive immunity and the development, proliferation, and differentiation of mature T cells, with thymic size being a predictor of immune function (11,12). CD4ϩ cells are cytokine-producing helper cells that function in host defense against extracellular microbes.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Intrauterine Growth Restriction Alters T-Lymphocyte Cell Number and Dual Specificity Phosphatase 1 Levels in the Thymus of Newborn and Juvenile Rats

Contreras

Hale

et al. 2011

Pediatr Res

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“…In addition, IUGR neonates are more susceptible to infection or environmental changes due to an ineffective immune system (Cromi et al, 2009;Zhong et al, 2012), and IUGR animals have abnormal differences in size and histopathology of the thymus (Cromi et al, 2009). Consistently, overexpression of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) associated with impaired cellular immunity was observed in the intestine (Zhong et al, 2010) and liver of IUGR neonates, suggesting that immune function is altered widely in IUGR piglets.…”

Section: Pre-weaning Mortalitymentioning

confidence: 93%

Within-litter variation in birth weight: impact of nutritional status in the sow

Yuan

Zhu

Shi

et al. 2015

J. Zhejiang Univ. Sci. B

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Accompanying the beneficial improvement in litter size from genetic selection for high-prolificacy sows, within-litter variation in birth weight has increased with detrimental effects on post-natal growth and survival due to an increase in the proportion of piglets with low birth-weight. Causes of within-litter variation in birth weight include breed characteristics that affect uterine space, ovulation rate, degree of maturation of oocytes, duration of time required for ovulation, interval between ovulation and fertilization, uterine capacity for implantation and placentation, size and efficiency of placental transport of nutrients, communication between conceptus/fetus and maternal systems, as well as nutritional status and environmental influences during gestation. Because these factors contribute to within-litter variation in birth weight, nutritional status of the sow to improve fetal-placental development must focus on the following three important stages in the reproductive cycle: pre-mating or weaning to estrus, early gestation and late gestation. The goal is to increase the homogeneity of development of oocytes and conceptuses, decrease variations in conceptus development during implantation and placentation, and improve birth weights of newborn piglets. Though some progress has been made in nutritional regulation of within-litter variation in the birth weight of piglets, additional studies, with a focus on and insights into molecular mechanisms of reproductive physiology from the aspects of maternal growth and offspring development, as well as their regulation by nutrients provided to the sow, are urgently needed.

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“…table 1). T cells may also play a role, since IUGR in humans retards thymus growth during fetal life [135,136] and reduces circulating thymopoietin in adolescence [137], although normal T cell proliferation capacity is retained [138]. Similarly, IUGR due to maternal protein restriction or food restriction during pregnancy reduces thymic T cell numbers at birth and postnatal circulating T cell populations in the progeny (online suppl.…”

Section: Perinatal Exposuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

In utero Programming of Allergic Susceptibility

Grieger

Clifton

Tuck

et al. 2016

Int Arch Allergy Immunol

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Background: Around 30-40% of the world's population will experience allergy, the most common and earliest-onset noncommunicable disease. With a steady rise in the incidence of allergic disease over recent decades, up to 18% of children will suffer a respiratory, food or skin allergy before their 18th birthday. There is compelling evidence that the risk of developing allergy is influenced by early life events and particularly in utero exposures. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was undertaken which outlines prenatal risk factors and potential mechanisms underlying the development of allergy in childhood. Results: Exposures including maternal cigarette smoking, preterm birth and Caesarean delivery are implicated in predisposing infants to the later development of allergy. In contrast, restricted growth in utero, a healthy maternal diet and a larger family size are protective, but the mechanisms here are unclear and require further investigation. Conclusion: To ameliorate the allergy pandemic in young children, we must define prenatal mechanisms that alter the programming of the fetal immune system and also identify specific targets for antenatal interventions.

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Ultrasonographic measurement of thymus size in IUGR fetuses: a marker of the fetal immunoendocrine response to malnutrition

Abstract: Objective To test the hypothesis that intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with decreased thymus size in the human fetus. Methods

Cited by 77 publications

References 30 publications

Intrauterine Growth Restriction Alters T-Lymphocyte Cell Number and Dual Specificity Phosphatase 1 Levels in the Thymus of Newborn and Juvenile Rats

Intrauterine Growth Restriction Alters T-Lymphocyte Cell Number and Dual Specificity Phosphatase 1 Levels in the Thymus of Newborn and Juvenile Rats

Within-litter variation in birth weight: impact of nutritional status in the sow

In utero Programming of Allergic Susceptibility

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