title: IGF-I increases interferon-gamma and IL-6 mRNA expression and protein production in neonatal mononuclear cells.
abstract: Neonates are vulnerable to infections because of their immature immunity. IGF-I has been reported to have profound positive effects on immune function. In this study, we investigated the effects of IGF-I on neonatal immunity. The production of IL-2, IL-4, and interferon-gamma in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated neonatal mononuclear cells (MNC) was significantly decreased when compared with that of adults. IGF-I alone induced a high level of IL-6 mRNA expression and protein production in neonatal MNC. IGF-I significantly increased mRNA expression and protein production of both IL-6 and interferon-y but had no influence on that of IL-2 and IL-4 in PHA-stimulated neonatal MNC. Moreover, it increased neonatal interferon-gamma production in PHA-stimulated MNC to a level similar to that of adults. IGF-I could further enhance the mRNA expression of lymphocyte-activation gene 3, which is associated with interferon-gamma production and differentiation of T-helper 1 lymphocytes, in PHA-stimulated neonatal MNC. These results suggest IGF-I could promote maturation of neonatal T cells, and its potential use to enhance neonatal immunity deserves further study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, China.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: Y L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Lau
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005312:Fetal Blood; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007371:Interferon-gamma