title: Influence of dexamethasone on lymphocyte proliferation in whole blood cultures of neonates.
abstract: The lymphocyte proliferative response to mitogen stimulation was measured in cord blood cultures of term and preterm neonates. The lymphocyte proliferative response increased 150- to 400-fold above baseline after stimulation with mitogens. Dexamethasone suppressed the lymphocyte proliferative response in a concentration-dependent manner with considerable suppression at concentrations applied during treatment of preterm neonates for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Dexamethasone and other corticosteroids tested in equipotent glucocorticoid concentrations suppressed the lymphocyte proliferative response to the same extent. We conclude that dexamethasone treatment for BPD may well compromise immune functions of preterm neonates.
authors.affiliation: Kinderklinik, Universität Ulm, BRD.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schwarze
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bartmann
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D002470:Cell Survival; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005312:Fetal Blood; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009994:Osmolar Concentration
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D008934:Mitogens; D003907:Dexamethasone