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Cord Blood Monocytes, Neutrophils and Lymphocytes from Preterm and Full‐Term Neonates Show Multiple Aberrations in Signalling Profiles Measured Using Phospho‐Specific Whole‐Blood Flow Cytometry
Author(s) -
Nupponen I.,
Kuuliala A.,
Siitonen S.,
Repo H.,
Kuuliala K.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.934
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1365-3083
pISSN - 0300-9475
DOI - 10.1111/sji.12094
Subject(s) - phosphorylation , immunology , medicine , cord blood , stat5 , immune system , flow cytometry , umbilical cord , monocyte , tumor necrosis factor alpha , biology , biochemistry
Immaturity of the immune system renders newborns susceptible to infections. We searched for aberrations in leucocyte signalling profiles, using phospho‐specific whole‐blood flow cytometry, in cord blood of nine preterm (two born before 32nd gestational week) and nine full‐term infants, born by caesarean section. Thirteen adults served as reference subjects. Monocyte NF ‐κB phosphorylation following tumour necrosis factor ( TNF ) or bacterial stimulation was higher in preterm neonates than in full‐term neonates or adults, p38 phosphorylation following bacterial stimulation was higher in both preterm and full‐term neonates than in adults, while STAT 1 phosphorylation by IFN ‐γ or IL ‐6, STAT 3 phosphorylation by IL ‐6 and STAT 5 phosphorylation by GM ‐ CSF were lower in both full‐term and preterm neonates than in adults. Neutrophil STAT 1 and STAT 3 phosphorylation following IFN ‐γ stimulation and STAT 5 phosphorylation following GM ‐ CSF stimulation were lower in newborn neonates than in adults. In both CD 3 + CD 4 + and CD 3 + CD 8 + lymphocytes, NF ‐κB phosphorylation by TNF was higher and STAT 5 phosphorylation by IL ‐2 was lower in preterm and full‐term newborns than in adults. STAT 6 phosphorylation by IL ‐4 was comparable in monocytes and lymphocytes of newborns and adults. The results suggest that innate immune signalling pathways responding to inflammatory stimuli are strongly functional in leucocytes of preterm neonates, which may render these neonates susceptible to inappropriate tissue injury. In leucocytes of both preterm and full‐term newborns, responses needed against intracellular pathogens, and regulatory functions show immaturities, possibly contributing to worse control of infections.