title: Impaired NK cell antiviral cytokine response against influenza virus in small-for-gestational-age neonates.
abstract: The neonates, particularly small-for-gestational-age (SGA) ones, are susceptible to various microbial infections. Natural killer (NK) cells are critical components of host innate immunity system and the main source of the inflammatory cytokines, which provide critical protection during the early phase of viral infections before the development of an appropriate adaptive immune response. However, little is known about the antiviral effects of NK cells in neonates especially the SGA population. Herein, a prospective descriptive study was performed to determine the differences of NK cell immunity among adults, appropriate-for gestational-age (AGA) and SGA neonates. Adults have much higher NK cell number in peripheral blood than that in cord blood from neonates. In response to influenza virus stimulation, neonatal NK cells, especially SGA baby cells, expressed significantly lower antiviral cytokines including perforin, interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor-necrosis factor (TNF)-α responses than adult NK cells. In addition, the antiviral cytokine responses of NK cells were positively correlated with neonatal birth weight. Our data suggested that the depressed antiviral activity and less frequency of NK cells are likely to be responsible for the high susceptibility to microbial infection in neonates, at least in part. Improving the function of innate immunity may provide a new way to defend virus infection.
authors.affiliation: The Joint Research Center of West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University and Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Jinrong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Huawei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Meixing
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Fan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Yingying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Qiao
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Chongyang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Zhongwei
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Meng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Wenwei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000276:immunology*; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D054353:Perforin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D061251:Primary Cell Culture; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D054353:Perforin; D007371:Interferon-gamma