Journal article
Responsiveness of human monocytes to the commensal bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis develops late in gestation
Pediatric Research, Vol.72(1), pp.10-18
2012
Abstract
Introduction: Staphylococcus epidermidis (SE) rarely causes infection in term infants but is a leading cause of late-onset sepsis in preterm infants. We hypothesized that the innate immune responses to SE in preterm infants are impaired in a gestational age (GA)-dependent manner. Methods: Cord and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) were stimulated with SE bacteria, and a range of innate immune responses were assessed, including phagocytosis, intracellular killing, Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway transcriptional activation, cytokine production, TLR2 and TLR4 expression, and cell signaling. Results: Phagocytosis and intracellular killing of SE bacteria were similar in neonatal and adult monocytes. Cytokine gene expression and protein synthesis increased in a GA-dependent manner, which was confirmed at the single-cell level. These GA-related effects were not associated with differences in expression of TLR2 or TLR4, nor with downstream activation of nuclear factor-κB or mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. Discussion: The expression of TLRs, phagocytic capacity, and intracellular killing by monocytes develops early in fetal development, whereas the ability to mount a bacteria-induced cytokine response requires further maturation. The functional immaturity of monocyte activation pathways in the preterm infant may underpin their particular susceptibility to sepsis with commensal bacteria.
Details
- Title
- Responsiveness of human monocytes to the commensal bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis develops late in gestation
- Authors/Creators
- T. Strunk (Author/Creator)A. Prosser (Author/Creator)O. Levy (Author/Creator)V. Philbin (Author/Creator)K. Simmer (Author/Creator)D. Doherty (Author/Creator)A. Charles (Author/Creator)P. Richmond (Author/Creator)D. Burgner (Author/Creator)A. Currie (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- Pediatric Research, Vol.72(1), pp.10-18
- Publisher
- Nature Publishing Group
- Identifiers
- 991005544648307891
- Copyright
- © 2012 International Pediatric Research Foundation, Inc
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.23 Antibiotics & Antimicrobials
- 1.23.1757 Group B Streptococcus
- Web Of Science research areas
- Pediatrics
- ESI research areas
- Clinical Medicine