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Measurement of interleukin 10 in bronchoalveolar lavage from preterm ventilated infants
J R McColm1, B J Stenson, N Biermasz
1Child Life and Health, Reproductive Medicine and Developmental Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 20 Sylvan Place, Edinburgh EH9 1UW, UK.
Background:
Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is a cytokine that downregulates inflammation, in part by reducing the production of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1beta and IL-8. It has been suggested that an inability to produce IL-10 might predispose preterm infants to develop chronic lung disease.
Aim:
To measure IL-10, IL-1beta, and IL-8 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from ventilated preterm infants in a prospective cohort study.
Patients:
17 consecutive newborn infants < or = 29 weeks' gestational age (median, 25; 9 boys) who were ventilated from birth underwent daily bronchoalveolar lavage sampling.
Results:
102 samples were collected, of which 57 contained IL-10 in amounts that were comparable with those found previously in ventilated term infants with respiratory failure. Chronic lung disease developed in 9 of the 11 survivors and all 9 infants had produced IL-10. IL-1beta and IL-8 were detected in nearly all samples and were raised throughout the course of sample collection.
Conclusion:
IL-10 is readily detectable in early bronchoalveolar lavage samples from ventilated preterm infants, although it remains unclear whether this cytokine has any influence on the development of chronic lung disease.