Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
07:36

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats

Published on: November 20, 2015

Intrauterine T-cell activation and increased proinflammatory cytokine concentrations in preterm infants with cerebral

P J Duggan, E F Maalouf, T L Watts

    Lancet (London, England)
    |December 1, 2001
    PubMed

    Insights

    Intrauterine infection and inflammation increase the risk of brain injury in very preterm infants. An in utero immune response, indicated by elevated cytokines and T cells, predicts cerebral lesions in newborns.

    Area of Science:

    • Neonatal neurology
    • Immunology
    • Perinatal medicine

    Background:

    • Brain injury is a significant concern in very preterm infants, often linked to intrauterine infections preceding preterm birth.
    • This study investigates the connection between fetal exposure to intrauterine antigens/inflammation and the development of cerebral damage.

    Discussion:

    • Elevated levels of specific cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukins 1beta, 6, and 10) and CD45RO(+) T lymphocytes in umbilical cord blood were associated with cerebral lesions.
    • These findings highlight the role of the fetal immune response in the pathogenesis of brain injury.

    Key Insights:

    • Higher concentrations of inflammatory markers and immune cells in umbilical blood predict early-onset cerebral lesions in preterm infants.
    • The fetal immune system's activation in response to intrauterine insults is a critical factor in brain injury risk.

    Outlook:

    • Further research could explore targeted interventions to modulate the fetal immune response.
    • Understanding these mechanisms may lead to strategies for preventing brain damage in high-risk preterm neonates.

    More Related Videos

    Induction of Maternal Immune Activation in Mice at Mid-gestation Stage with Viral Mimic Poly(I:C)07:13

    Induction of Maternal Immune Activation in Mice at Mid-gestation Stage with Viral Mimic Poly(I:C)

    Published on: March 25, 2016

    Assessing Cellular Stress and Inflammation in Discrete Oxytocin-secreting Brain Nuclei in the Neonatal Rat Before and After First Colostrum Feeding09:12

    Assessing Cellular Stress and Inflammation in Discrete Oxytocin-secreting Brain Nuclei in the Neonatal Rat Before and After First Colostrum Feeding

    Published on: November 14, 2018

    Related Concept Videos

    T Cell Types and Functions01:24

    T Cell Types and Functions

    When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
    Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
    Development of Immunocompetence01:22

    Development of Immunocompetence

    The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
    The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
    Subsequent T...