title: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor expression on neutrophils of term and preterm neonates with and without signs of infection.
abstract: Neutrophils are an essential component of the human host defence system against infection. Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor induces neutrophilia and enhances effector functions of mature neutrophils. Since the biological effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) are mediated by its receptor, we investigated the expression of G-CSF receptor on the surface of neutrophils of term and preterm neonates (n = 22) with and without signs of infection and of healthy adults (n = 13) by flow cytometry. In healthy adults, the percentage of neutrophils expressing G-CSF receptor was higher compared to cord blood of term and preterm neonates (87% vs 53%, P < 0.05). Between 2 and 32 h of life, neonates with signs of infection showed lower values of G-CSF receptor expression compared to neonates without signs of infection (32% vs 54%, P < 0.05). No correlation was detectable between expression of G-CSF receptor and gestational age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Expression of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor on neutrophils is lower than in adults. This may adversely affect granulopoiesis and neutrophil function during the neonatal period. Moreover, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor expression seems to be down-regulated during neonatal infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gessler
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Neu
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nebe
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Speer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000276:immunology*; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000276:immunology*; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism*; D016188:Receptors, Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D016188:Receptors, Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor