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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
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Immune Biomarkers at Birth Predict Lower Respiratory Tract Infection Risk in a Large Birth Cohort
Ethan Mondell1, Gustavo Nino2,3, Xiumei Hong4
1School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 28, 2024
Summary
Neonatal immune factors like Interferon gamma (IFNγ) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-beta (TNF-β) in cord blood predict infant lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) risk. Identifying these biomarkers can help stratify risk and guide therapies for infant respiratory health.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neonatal Health
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are a major cause of infant illness and death globally.
- Identifying early immunological markers for LRTI susceptibility is crucial for risk stratification and therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify neonatal immunological factors in cord blood that predict the risk of developing LRTIs in infancy.
- To analyze the association between specific soluble immune factors and LRTI incidence within the first year of life.
Main Methods:
- Cord blood plasma from 191 neonates was analyzed for 28 soluble immune factors.
- Statistical analyses included Welch's t-test and multivariate survival models to assess risk associations.
- LRTI was defined as bronchiolitis, bronchitis, or pneumonia in the first year of life.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher concentrations of IL-17 and IFNγ were observed in neonates who developed LRTIs.
- High cord blood levels of IFNγ, TNF-β, MIP-1α, and MIP-1β were associated with increased LRTI risk.
- RANTES was associated with a reduced risk of LRTIs.
Conclusions:
- Specific neonatal soluble immune factors, including those related to antiviral immunity and inflammatory responses, are associated with infant LRTI risk.
- These findings highlight potential biomarkers for early identification of infants at high risk for LRTIs.
- Further research can explore therapeutic interventions targeting these immune pathways.
