Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 1, 2026

A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis
08:46

A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis

Published on: August 12, 2020

Neonatal programming of neuroimmunomodulation--role of adipocytokines and neuropeptides

E G de Moura1, P C Lisboa, M C F Passos

  • 1Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. egberto@pq.cnpq.br

Neuroimmunomodulation
|September 11, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Early life nutrition and stress can epigenetically program organisms, creating a thrifty phenotype. This programming, particularly involving hormones like leptin, can increase the risk of metabolic diseases and affect neuroimmunomodulation later in life.

Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics
  • Developmental Biology
  • Metabolic Health

Background:

  • Programming is an epigenetic process where early-life factors like nutrition and stress shape development.
  • This adaptive mechanism, selected for survival in harsh conditions, results in a 'thrifty phenotype'.
  • Individuals with this phenotype are susceptible to metabolic diseases when nutrients become abundant.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore how maternal and neonatal hormonal and metabolic changes during critical periods can program neuroimmunomodulatory effects.
  • To investigate the role of specific hormones (thyroid hormones, leptin, insulin, glucocorticoids, prolactin) as imprinting factors.
  • To understand the impact of these programmed changes on body weight, composition, insulin action, and immune responses.

Main Methods:

  • Review of hormonal and metabolic changes in mothers and neonates.
  • Analysis of how these factors are transferred (e.g., via milk).
  • Discussion of the programming effects of key hormones, with a focus on leptin.

Main Results:

  • Early-life malnutrition can activate genes leading to a thrifty phenotype.
  • Hormonal imprinting during critical periods influences neuroimmunomodulation.
  • Leptin, a cytokine, appears central to these programming events, affecting various physiological systems.

Conclusions:

  • Early-life programming via nutrition and stress has long-term consequences on metabolic and immune health.
  • Hormones like leptin play a crucial role in mediating these programming effects.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is vital for preventing metabolic and inflammatory diseases.

More Related Videos

A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development08:50

A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development

Published on: June 24, 2020

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

Related Concept Videos

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...
Regulation of Food Intake01:30

Regulation of Food Intake

Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...
Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules01:31

Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules

Immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules or Ig-CAMs are a versatile group of cell surface glycoproteins belonging to the immunoglobulin protein superfamily. Ig-CAMs possess the characteristic immunoglobulin protein domains and other domains such as the fibronectin type III domain. The Ig domains are glycosylated to varying degrees in different Ig-CAMs.
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
Neurotransmitters01:31

Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are essential chemical messengers within the nervous system, facilitating the communication between neurons. These chemical messengers, varying in function and effect, are critical for sustaining various aspects of neurological health and emotional well-being.