Bioactive transforming growth factor-beta in the lungs of extremely low birthweight neonates predicts the need for home oxygen supplementation.
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a peptide implicated in tissue injury and repair but its role in the premature human lung remains unclear. In the present study, we used a TGF-beta responsive-promoter-luciferase construct in mink lung epithelial cells to quantify levels of biologically active TGF-beta (BA-TGF-beta) in the endotracheal aspirate (ETA) fluid from 16 extremely low birthweight neonates [6 M/10 F, mean GA 26 weeks (range 23-30), mean BW 774 g (range 555-1,075)]. ETA fluid was obtained on day 1 and then every 4 days up to 32 days. BA-TGF-beta levels were low (92 +/- 19 pg/ml) in the first 24 h of life and then increased 5- to 10-fold with peak BA-TGF-beta levels (400 +/- 50 pg/ml) on day 20-25. BA-TGF-beta levels were higher in male than female infants (p = 0.0056). Prenatal steroids decreased significantly the amount of BA-TGF-beta recovered. High initial levels of BA-TGF-beta persisted over time and were predictive of the need for oxygen therapy at home. We conclude that abundant BA- TGF-beta is present in the lungs of preterm infants and speculate that it may be involved in inflammatory and repair processes encountered in acute and chronic lung disease.
Lecart
C
C
Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Women's and Children's Hospital, LAC-USC Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. chlecart@hotmail.com
Cayabyab
R
R
Buckley
S
S
Morrison
J
J
Kwong
K Y
KY
Warburton
D
D
Ramanathan
R
R
Jones
C A
CA
Minoo
P
P
D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000378:metabolism*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011379:Prognosis; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000378:metabolism; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*
D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D010100:Oxygen