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Published on: May 10, 2017
Expression of cytokine mRNA in lymphocytes of malnourished children
Haydeé González-Martínez1, Leonor Rodríguez, Oralia Nájera
1Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, División de Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Av. San Rafael Atlixco, No. 186. Col. Vicentina, C.P. 09340, México, D.F., México.
Insights
Malnourished children show an altered immune response balance, with higher levels of certain cytokines and lower levels of others. This immune dysregulation may impair their ability to fight infections effectively.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Protein-calorie malnutrition is a global health issue.
- It significantly increases susceptibility to infections.
- Understanding immune response alterations is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the balance of type 1/type 2 immune responses in malnourished children.
- To identify specific cytokine expression changes associated with malnutrition.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of cytokine gene expression.
- Comparison between malnourished and well-nourished infected children.
Main Results:
- Malnourished children exhibited higher expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-4, and interleukin-10.
- Conversely, lower expression of interleukin-2, gamma interferon, and interleukin-6 was observed.
- These findings align with previous research on cytokine production in malnourished populations.
Conclusions:
- Malnourished children display a disrupted balance in type 1/type 2 immune responses.
- This immune imbalance may contribute to the reduced capacity to clear infections.
Introduction:
Protein-calorie malnutrition represents a significant worldwide health problem and is associated with an increased risk for infections. The purpose of this study was to evaluate possible changes in type 1/type 2 responses balance in malnourished children.
Results:
The data obtained in the present study showed that the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-10 were more highly, in contrast IL-2, gamma interferon, and IL-6 genes were expressed less in all groups of malnourished children compared with the well-nourished infected children. It is important to indicate that the data collected in the present work agree with the results obtained by different authors, who showed differences in the production of cytokines in malnourished children.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the results suggest that alterations in the balance of type 1/type 2 immune responses exist in malnourished children, and this could be the reason that the immunological system of the malnourished children is incapable of eradicating infections.
