Abstract
Neonates are vulnerable to infections because of their immature immunity. IGF-I has been reported to have profound positive effects on immune function. In this study, we investigated the effects of IGF-I on neonatal immunity. The production of IL-2, IL-4, and interferon-γ in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated neonatal mononuclear cells (MNC) was significantly decreased when compared with that of adults. IGF-I alone induced a high level of IL-6 mRNA expression and protein production in neonatal MNC. IGF-I significantly increased mRNA expression and protein production of both IL-6 and interferon-γ but had no influence on that of IL-2 and IL-4 in PHA-stimulated neonatal MNC. Moreover, it increased neonatal interferon-γ production in PHA-stimulated MNC to a level similar to that of adults. IGF-I could further enhance the mRNA expression of lymphocyte-activation gene 3, which is associated with interferon-γ production and differentiation of T-helper 1 lymphocytes, in PHA-stimulated neonatal MNC. These results suggest IGF-I could promote maturation of neonatal T cells, and its potential use to enhance neonatal immunity deserves further study.
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Abbreviations
- IFN-γ:
-
interferon-γ
- Th:
-
T-helper cells
- LAG-3:
-
lymphocyte-activation gene 3
- MNC:
-
mononuclear cells
- GAPDH:
-
glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase
- PHA:
-
phytohemagglutinin
- RT:
-
reverse transcription
- TNF:
-
tumor necrosis factor
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank the staff from ward A6, Queen Mary Hospital, in facilitating the collection of cord blood.
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Supported by RGC Grant HKU 471/96 M from the Hong Kong Research Grant Council.
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Tu, W., Cheung, PT. & Lau, YL. IGF-I Increases Interferon-γ and IL-6 mRNA Expression and Protein Production in Neonatal Mononuclear Cells. Pediatr Res 46, 748 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199912000-00019
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199912000-00019
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