NETs: Protection or Harm in Neonatal Inflammation or Infection
University of Utah
Summary
This is a prospective in vitro cell biology study of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) protein synthesis in response to PAF. PMNs from cord blood of premature human infants at risk for NEC (birth weight between 501 - 1500 grams) and PMNs from cord blood of healthy term infants will be isolated and stimulated with PAF, a biologically active phospholipid implicated in the pathogenesis of NEC. NEC, a disease of prematurity with an incidence of 10.1% of infants born weighing between 501 - 1500 grams, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We will compare the protein synthesis of inflammatory modulators, including Interleukin 6 Receptor alpha (IL-6R alpha) and Retinoic Acid Receptor alpha (RAR alpha) proteins to protein synthesis responses already observed in PMNs isolated from healthy adults. Furthermore, we will characterize the expression and activity of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) translational protein synthesis control pathway in PMNs isolated from preterm and term infants and compare those results with previous observations in PMNs isolated from adults. This pathway is known to regulate IL-6R alpha and RAR alpha protein expression in PMNs isolated from adults. We will also follow those premature infants at risk for NEC clinically to determine which infants develop NEC and what risk factors may be associated with NEC in this population.
Description
Many pediatric diseases including Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS), sepsis, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and neonatal Chronic Lung Disease (CLD) have been associated with dysregulation of the acute inflammatory response \[1\]. So it is with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). NEC, a disease of premature infants, afflicts 10% of very low birth weight infants. This disease is often fatal \[2\]. Less significant but nonetheless devastating sequelae include intestinal perforation, short gut syndrome, prolonged total parenteral nutrition with possible concomitant liver fail…
Eligibility
- Age range
- Up to 1 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients hospitalized in the NICU who were less than or equal to 1500 grams or less than 30 weeks gestational age at birth; Term infants delivered at UUMC without complication, either via cesarean section or vaginal delivery; Cord blood isolated within first hour of life; and parents or guardians must have signed informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Infants with major congenital anomalies will be excluded.
Location
- University of UtahSalt Lake City, Utah