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Assessment of gut intraepithelial lymphocytes during late gestation and the neonatal period
C S Machado1, M A Rodrigues, H V Maffei
1Department of Paediatrics, Botucatu School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
Insights
Neonatal feeding patterns significantly impact intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) counts in the ileum. Oral or enteral feeding, compared to parenteral, is linked to higher IEL percentages in neonates.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neonatal Development
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) play a crucial role in mucosal immunity.
- Understanding factors influencing postnatal IEL expansion is vital for infant health.
- Limited data exists on early-life feeding modalities and IEL development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between IEL counts and neonatal factors.
- To assess the influence of gestational age, birth weight, intrauterine growth, infections, and feeding state on IELs.
- To determine if feeding patterns modulate IEL development in neonates.
Main Methods:
- Histological analysis of jejunal, ileal, and appendiceal mucosa from 39 neonates (0-28 days).
- Quantification of intraepithelial lymphocyte percentage relative to enterocytes (IEL % enterocytes).
- Correlation analysis with gestational age, birth weight, intrauterine growth, infection status, and feeding type (oral/enteral vs. parenteral/unfed).
Main Results:
- No significant differences in IEL counts were found based on birth weight, intrauterine growth, or neonatal infections.
- Significantly higher ileal IEL counts were observed in orally/enterally fed neonates compared to unfed or parenterally fed neonates (p < 0.02).
- Full-term neonates exhibited higher ileal IEL counts, particularly when orally/enterally fed.
Conclusions:
- Postnatal feeding patterns, specifically oral/enteral nutrition, are significant modulators of ileal intraepithelial lymphocyte expansion.
- Feeding modality is an important factor in IEL development, alongside in utero influences.
- These findings highlight the gut microbiome and nutrient sensing roles in early immune development.
Abstract:
Intraepithelial lymphocyte counts (IEL % enterocytes) were carried out in histological samples of jejunal, ileal and appendiceal mucosa of 39 neonates, aged from birth to 28 days. Correlations between IEL counts and developmental factors, namely gestational age, birth weight and intrauterine growth, as well as neonatal infections or feeding state were performed. No significant differences were observed among neonates grouped according to birth weight, intrauterine growth or neonatal infections. The pattern of feeding, however was associated with significantly higher IEL counts (p < 0.02) in the ileum in oral/enterally fed neonates than in the unfed or parenterally fed. Full-term neonates also had higher counts in the ileum (p < 0.02). In this group, oral/enterally fed neonates had the higher values. Thus, besides in utero development, the pattern of feeding might be considered as an important modulating factor on IEL postnatal expansion.