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Oral Gavage in Neonatal Mouse Pups and Functional Assessment of Gut Barrier Integrity Using Ussing Chambers
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The gut mucosal immune system in the neonatal period

Anna J Battersby1, Deena L Gibbons

  • 1Academic Department of Paediatrics, Imperial College London, London, UK. a.battersby@imperial.ac.uk

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology : Official Publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
|May 21, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Newborns

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal immunology
  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Gastrointestinal immunology

Background:

  • Invasive sepsis in newborns is a significant global cause of illness and death.
  • The infant immune system is developing, not deficient, with unique characteristics.
  • The infant gut mucosal immune system is intricate and exhibits clinically relevant irregularities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the complexities of the infant gut mucosal immune system.
  • To understand the factors influencing this system, including the microbiome and maternal factors.
  • To highlight the need for research into immune cell distribution and function in infants.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current understanding of infant immunology.
  • Analysis of factors modulating the infant gut mucosal immune system.
  • Emphasis on phenotypic and functional characterization of immune cells.

Main Results:

  • The infant immune system possesses competencies but differs from adult systems.
  • The gut mucosal immune system shows phenotypic and functional variations.
  • Factors like the gut microbiome, nutrition, and maternal immunity play crucial roles.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the infant gut mucosal immune system is critical for addressing neonatal sepsis.
  • Further research into immune cell phenotypes, functions, and pathways is essential.
  • This knowledge will advance infant immunology and clinical care.

Keywords:
gutimmuneimmunityinfantintestinalintestinemucosamucosalneonatalneonate

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