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Postnatal programming of the innate immune response.

Michael A Galic¹, Sarah J Spencer, Abdeslam Mouihate

¹Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Snyder Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Health Sciences Centre, 3330 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada.

Integrative and Comparative Biology

|June 14, 2011

Summary

Early life immune challenges, like exposure to bacterial (lipopolysaccharide) or viral (PolyI:C) mimetics, can alter adult neuroimmune responses. This programming may lead to long-term health complications via a sensitized hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

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Published on: March 25, 2016

Area of Science:

Neuroimmunology
Developmental Biology
Physiology

Background:

Host defense against pathogens involves CNS-mediated autonomic, hormonal, and behavioral responses essential for survival.
The postnatal period is a critical window where early life experiences can shape long-term physiology and immune function.
Immune system challenges during development can lead to lasting alterations in adult host defenses.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the mechanisms by which early-life immune challenges influence adult neuroimmune responses.
To discuss how postnatal exposure to immune activators can program long-term physiological changes.
To explore the link between early immunological perturbations and adult health complications.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on postnatal immune challenges and their long-term effects.
Analysis of studies using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (PolyI:C) as infection mimics.
Examination of neuroimmune responses, including fever and cytokine production, in adulthood.

Main Results:

Postnatal administration of LPS or PolyI:C can alter adult neuroimmune responses to subsequent immune challenges.
These alterations involve changes in fever generation and cytokine production.
Long-lasting effects are associated with a sensitized hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Conclusions:

Transient immunological perturbations during the postnatal period can program the developing organism for altered health outcomes in adulthood.
Early-life immune challenges can lead to persistent modifications in innate immune responses.
Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for addressing long-term health consequences of early-life adversity.