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Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Perinatal Inflammatory Biomarkers and Respiratory Disease in Preterm Infants
Joseph M Collaco1, Sharon A McGrath-Morrow2, Megan Griffiths3
1Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD.
Insights
Lower vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the first week of life is linked to respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm infants. Higher Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 levels correlate with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) risk.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Biomarker Research
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are significant morbidities in preterm infants.
- Early identification of biomarkers could improve management and outcomes for these vulnerable newborns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and specific cytokines (Interleukin-6, IL-6; IL-8; IL-10) within the first week of life.
- To determine if these protein expressions can predict the development and severity of RDS and BPD in preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Plasma samples were collected from preterm infants (birth weight <1500g, gestational age <32 weeks) within the first week of life.
- Levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and VEGF were quantified.
- Infants were monitored for the development of RDS and BPD, with BPD assessed at 36 weeks postmenstrual age.
Main Results:
- Lower VEGF levels in the first week of life were associated with a diagnosis of RDS.
- Higher plasma levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were linked to an increased likelihood and severity of BPD at 36 weeks postmenstrual age.
- No significant association was found between these biomarkers and respiratory symptoms or acute care use in older children with BPD.
Conclusions:
- Plasma VEGF levels in the first week of life may serve as a predictive biomarker for RDS in preterm infants.
- Elevated IL-6 and IL-8 levels during early neonatal life are associated with a higher risk of developing BPD.
- These biomarkers hold potential for predicting respiratory morbidities in preterm newborns during their initial hospitalization.
Objective:
To measure plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and several cytokines (Interleukin [IL]-6 IL-8, IL-10) during the first week of life to examine the relationship between protein expression and likelihood of developing respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
Study Design:
Levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and VEGF were measured from plasma obtained from preterm patients during the first week of life. Newborns were recruited from a single center between April 2009 and April 2019. Criteria for the study included being inborn, birth weight of less than 1500 grams, and a gestational age of less than 32 weeks at birth.
Results:
The development of RDS in preterm newborns was associated with lower levels of VEGF during the first week of life. Higher plasma levels of IL-6 and IL-8 plasma were associated with an increased likelihood and increased severity of BPD at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. In contrast, plasma levels of VEGF, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 obtained during the first week of life were not associated with respiratory symptoms and acute care use in young children with BPD in the outpatient setting.
Conclusions:
During the first week of life, lower plasma levels of VEGF was associated with the diagnosis of RDS in preterm infants. Preterm infants with higher levels of IL-6 and IL-8 during the first week of life were also more likely to be diagnosed with BPD. These biomarkers may help to predict respiratory morbidities in preterm newborns during their initial hospitalization.
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