Reduction in regulatory T cells in preterm newborns is associated with necrotizing enterocolitis.
Journal
Pediatric research
ISSN: 1530-0447
Titre abrégé: Pediatr Res
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 0100714
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
11 2023
11 2023
Historique:
received:
25
10
2022
accepted:
01
05
2023
revised:
24
04
2023
medline:
6
11
2023
pubmed:
22
6
2023
entrez:
21
6
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Despite multifactorial pathogenesis, dysregulation of inflammatory immune response may play a crucial role in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are involved in immune tolerance early in life. We aimed to investigate the predicting role of Tregs in developing NEC in neonates at high risk. We studied six newborns with a diagnosis of NEC (cases) in comparison with 52 controls (without NEC). We further classified controls as neonates with feeding intolerance (FI) and neonates without it (FeedTol). The rate of female and male neonates (sex defined as a biological attribute) was similar. We analyzed the blood frequency of Tregs (not overall numbers) at three time points: 0-3 (T0), 7-10 (T1), and 27-30 (T2) days after birth by flow cytometry. Neonates' sex was defined based on the inspection of external genitalia at birth. We observed, at T0, a significantly lower frequency of Tregs in NEC cases (p < 0.001) compared with both FI (p < 0.01) and FeedTol controls (p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis reported that the occurrence of NEC was independently influenced by Treg frequency at birth (ß 2.98; p = 0.039). Tregs frequency and features in the peripheral blood of preterm neonates, early in life, may contribute to identifying neonates at high risk of developing NEC. Regulatory T cells may play a pivotal role in regulating the immune response in early life. Reduction of Tregs in early life could predispose preterm newborns to necrotizing enterocolitis. Early markers of necrotizing enterocolitis are still lacking. We demonstrated a predicting role of assessment of regulatory T cells in the diagnosis of this gastrointestinal emergency. Early identification of newborns at high risk of necrotizing enterocolitis through measurement of regulatory T cells may guide clinicians in the management of preterm newborns in order to reduce the development of this severe condition.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Despite multifactorial pathogenesis, dysregulation of inflammatory immune response may play a crucial role in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are involved in immune tolerance early in life. We aimed to investigate the predicting role of Tregs in developing NEC in neonates at high risk.
METHODS
We studied six newborns with a diagnosis of NEC (cases) in comparison with 52 controls (without NEC). We further classified controls as neonates with feeding intolerance (FI) and neonates without it (FeedTol). The rate of female and male neonates (sex defined as a biological attribute) was similar. We analyzed the blood frequency of Tregs (not overall numbers) at three time points: 0-3 (T0), 7-10 (T1), and 27-30 (T2) days after birth by flow cytometry. Neonates' sex was defined based on the inspection of external genitalia at birth.
RESULTS
We observed, at T0, a significantly lower frequency of Tregs in NEC cases (p < 0.001) compared with both FI (p < 0.01) and FeedTol controls (p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis reported that the occurrence of NEC was independently influenced by Treg frequency at birth (ß 2.98; p = 0.039).
CONCLUSION
Tregs frequency and features in the peripheral blood of preterm neonates, early in life, may contribute to identifying neonates at high risk of developing NEC.
IMPACT
Regulatory T cells may play a pivotal role in regulating the immune response in early life. Reduction of Tregs in early life could predispose preterm newborns to necrotizing enterocolitis. Early markers of necrotizing enterocolitis are still lacking. We demonstrated a predicting role of assessment of regulatory T cells in the diagnosis of this gastrointestinal emergency. Early identification of newborns at high risk of necrotizing enterocolitis through measurement of regulatory T cells may guide clinicians in the management of preterm newborns in order to reduce the development of this severe condition.
Identifiants
pubmed: 37344544
doi: 10.1038/s41390-023-02658-3
pii: 10.1038/s41390-023-02658-3
pmc: PMC10624602
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
1789-1796Informations de copyright
© 2023. The Author(s).
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