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Published on: August 7, 2017
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.
Insights
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.
Abstract:
Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) remain the leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality worldwide and affect long-term respiratory health. Identifying immunological determinants of LRTI susceptibility may help stratify disease risk and identify therapies. This study aimed to identify neonatal immunological factors predicting LRTI risk in infancy. Cord blood plasma from 191 neonates from the Boston Birth Cohort was analyzed for 28 soluble immune factors. LRTI was defined as bronchiolitis, bronchitis, or pneumonia during the first year of life. Welch's t-test demonstrated significantly higher log10 transformed concentrations of IL-17 and IFNγ in the LRTI group compared to neonates without LRTI in the first year of life (p < 0.05). Risk associations were determined using multivariate survival models. There were 29 infants with LRTIs. High cord blood levels of IFNγ (aHR = 2.35, 95% CI 1.07-5.17), TNF-β (aHR = 2.86, 95% CI 1.27-6.47), MIP-1α (aHR = 2.82, 95% CI 1.22-6.51), and MIP-1β (aHR = 2.34, 95% CI 1.05-5.20) were associated with a higher risk of LRTIs. RANTES was associated with a lower risk (aHR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.19-0.97). Soluble immune factors linked to antiviral immunity (IFNγ) and cytokines mediating inflammatory responses (TNF-β), and cell homing (MIP-1α/b), at birth were associated with an increased risk of LRTIs during infancy.
