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Extremely low birth weight infants have lower Fc gamma RIII (CD 16) plasma levels and their PMN produce less Fc gamma

N R Payne1, H B Fleit

  • 1Department of Neonatology, Children's Health Care, Minneapolis, MN 55404, USA.

Biology of the Neonate
|January 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Extremely low birth weight infants have reduced Fc gamma RIII expression on neutrophils due to decreased receptor synthesis, not shedding. This neutrophil receptor expression is developmentally regulated.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Neonatal Research

Background:

  • Neutrophils (PMN) play a critical role in infant immunity.
  • Fc gamma RIII expression on PMN is crucial for immune responses.
  • Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants exhibit altered immune function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cause of decreased Fc gamma RIII expression on ELBW infant neutrophils.
  • To determine if reduced receptor synthesis or increased shedding is responsible.
  • To explore the developmental regulation of Fc gamma RIII in ELBW infants.

Main Methods:

  • Quantified plasma and cellular Fc gamma RIII using ELISA.
  • Measured PMN Fc gamma RIII expression via flow cytometry.
  • Compared ELBW infants, larger infants, and adult controls.

Main Results:

  • ELBW infants showed significantly lower PMN Fc gamma RIII expression and plasma levels compared to adults.
  • Follow-up studies revealed increased PMN Fc gamma RIII expression over time in ELBW infants.
  • ELBW infants had lower total PMN-associated Fc gamma RIII than adults, indicating reduced synthesis.

Conclusions:

  • Decreased Fc gamma RIII expression in ELBW infants is primarily due to reduced receptor synthesis.
  • Fc gamma RIII expression on neutrophils is developmentally regulated in early life.
  • Findings highlight an immune deficiency in ELBW infants that improves with maturation.

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