Decreased Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Production by Human Neonatal Blood Mononuclear Cells and T Cells

Effects of Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor on Antifungal Activity of Neonatal Monocytes against<i> Candida albicans</i>

“…Earlier studies demonstrated that monocytes of healthy full-term neonates possess intact phagocytic capacity and oxidative burst against C. albicans [39,40], although their activation by IFN-Á has been found defective [12] along with other defective functions such as cytokine production, capability of rapid activation, and expression of surface antigens as well as adherence molecules [41][42][43][44]. Our initial findings are consistent with these data.…”

Developmental factors as determinants of risk for infections and atopy in childhood: FIGURE 1.

“…Foetal and neonatal MPC appear competent with respect to phagocytic activity and bacterial killing, but exhibit diminished capacity for expression of a variety of pro-inflammatory functions including production of effecter cytokines, such as IL-6 [19] and tumour necrosis factor-a [20], which may account in part for the diminished febrile response of neonates.…”

Cytokines Enhance Opsonophagocytosis of Type III Group B Streptococcus

“…20,21,30,39,40 The basal concentrations of GM-CSF in neonatal sera are negligible, and decreased GM-CSF expression and production may contribute to the development of neutropenia. 13,14 In a recent clinical trial, administration of recombinant human GM-CSF to premature infants was well-tolerated, and peripheral blood PMN counts and CR3 receptor expression were significantly increased. 30 Although GM-CSF may increase N-PMN count and function, type III GBS is most efficiently killed by PMNs when opsonized with complement and capsular polysaccharide-specific Ab.…”

“…Furthermore, the previously demonstrated priming for oxidative metabolism that occurs with GM-CSF treatment may have contributed to the enhanced microbial killing observed. 19 Although the production of GM-CSF by neonatal mononuclear cells may be reduced, [12][13][14] it also has been shown that the bactericidal activity of N-PMNs can be increased by GM-CSF. 19 Deficiencies in neonatal host defenses contribute to susceptibility to GBS infections.…”

“…[7][8][9][10][11] Several investigators have proposed that a deficiency in the production of or response to these cytokines may contribute to increased susceptibility to infection in neonates. 4,[12][13][14] TNF-␣ is an important mediator in the response of the host to infection and stimulates PMNs by inducing alterations in cell migration, adhesion, oxygen radical production, and degranulation. 15 TNF-␣ as a major monocyte product also increases complement receptor 1 (CR1) and CR3 expression on mature blood PMNs, thereby increasing margination and phagocytic activity.…”