title: Altered Intracellular ATP Production by Activated CD4+ T-Cells in Very Preterm Infants.
abstract: Background. The neonatal immune system is not fully developed at birth; newborns have adequate lymphocytes counts but these cells lack function.Objective. To assess the activity of T-cells and the influence of the main perinatal factors in very preterm infants (birth weight < 1500 g).Design. Blood samples from 59 preterm infants (21/59 were dizygotic twins) were collected at birth and at 30 days of life to measure CD4+ T-cell activity using the ImmuKnow™ assay. Fifteen healthy adults were included as a control group.Results. CD4+ T-cell activity was lower in VLBW infants compared with adults (p< 0.001). Twins showed lower immune activity compared to singletons (p= 0.005). Infants born vaginally showed higher CD4+ T-cell activity compared to those born by C-section (p= 0.031); infants born after prolonged Premature Rupture of Membranes (pPROM) showed higher CD4+ T-cell activity at birth (p= 0.002) compared to infants born without pPROM. Low CD4+ T-cell activity at birth is associated with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in the first week of life (p= 0.049).Conclusions. Preterm infants show a lack in CD4+ T-cell activity at birth. Perinatal factors such as intrauterine inflammation, mode of delivery, and zygosity can influence the adaptive immune activation capacity at birth and can contribute to exposing these infants to serious complications such as NEC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrical, Gynecological, and Pediatric Sciences, Operative Unit of Neonatology, St. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3655-9741
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aquilano
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrical, Gynecological, and Pediatric Sciences, Operative Unit of Neonatology, St. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-0124-0829
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Capretti
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrical, Gynecological, and Pediatric Sciences, Operative Unit of Neonatology, St. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0370-9552
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nanni
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrical, Gynecological, and Pediatric Sciences, Operative Unit of Neonatology, St. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Corvaglia
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrical, Gynecological, and Pediatric Sciences, Operative Unit of Neonatology, St. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Arianna
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4835-0379
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aceti
authors.affiliation: Department of Specialized, Experimental, and Diagnostic Medicine, Microbiology, St. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gabrielli
authors.affiliation: Department of Specialized, Experimental, and Diagnostic Medicine, Microbiology, St. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chiereghin
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrical, Gynecological, and Pediatric Sciences, Operative Unit of Neonatology, St. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3116-4329
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Faldella
authors.affiliation: Department of Specialized, Experimental, and Diagnostic Medicine, Microbiology, St. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lazzarotto
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity / Q000276:immunology*; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000328:Adult; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000196:embryology*; D062071:Infant, Extremely Premature / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate