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Neutrophil chemotaxis and transcriptomics in term and preterm neonates
Steven L Raymond1, Brittany J Mathias1, Tyler J Murphy1
1Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Fla.
Translational Research : the Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine
|September 6, 2017
Summary
Preterm neonates exhibit impaired neutrophil function, with reduced migration and altered gene expression affecting pathogen recognition. These neutrophil chemotaxis deficits may increase susceptibility to bacterial infections in preterm infants.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neonatal Medicine
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Neutrophils are critical for combating bacterial infections in neonates.
- Previous neonatal cell function studies were limited by small sample volumes.
- Novel microfluidic techniques enable whole-blood analysis of neonatal neutrophils.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize neutrophil chemotaxis and transcriptomics in preterm neonates, term neonates, and adults.
- To compare neutrophil migration, velocity, and directionality across these groups.
- To investigate the genomic basis of observed neutrophil functional differences.
Main Methods:
- Microfluidic chemotaxis assays using time-lapse imaging to measure neutrophil migration parameters (percent migration, velocity, directionality).
- Analysis of whole blood samples from preterm neonates, term neonates, and young adults.
- Genome-wide gene expression profiling of CD66b+ cells using microfluidic capture devices.
Main Results:
- Preterm neonates showed significantly reduced neutrophil migration (12.3%) and velocity (10.1 μm/min) compared to term neonates (30.5%) and adults (12.7 μm/min), respectively.
- Neutrophil directionality was comparable across all groups.
- 3607 genes were differentially expressed; preterm neonates displayed transcriptional changes linked to reduced pathogen recognition and antimicrobial activity, not migration defects.
Conclusions:
- Preterm neonates have significant neutrophil chemotaxis disturbances compared to term neonates and adults.
- Transcriptional differences in preterm neutrophils suggest broader inflammatory pathway dysregulation rather than specific migration defects.
- These findings highlight potential mechanisms underlying increased infection risk in preterm infants.