title: Modulation of host defenses with interferon-gamma in pediatrics.
abstract: One of the most consistent defects in the neonate's host defense system is in the ability of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) to move in a unidirectional fashion towards a chemotactic stimulus. Such impaired chemotaxis can be an important contributor to life-threatening neonatal infection. In vitro studies suggest that preincubation of PMNL from neonates with recombinant human interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) can enhance chemotactic responses. No other recombinant human cytokine except granulocyte colony-stimulating factor improved chemotaxis of PMNL from neonates. Similarly, pretreatment with rIFN-gamma has been shown to improve in vitro neutrophil chemotaxis in cells obtained from patients with hyperimmunoglobulinemia E (Job's) syndrome. These results suggest the need for controlled trials of rIFN-gamma in pediatric patients who are uniquely susceptible to tissue and pulmonary infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 84132.
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000187:drug effects*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007589:Job Syndrome / Q000276:immunology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma