Effect of betamethasone, indomethacin and fenoterol on neonatal and maternal mononuclear cells stimulated with Escherichia coli. (April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schulz, Daniela; Schlieckau, Florian; Fill Malfertheiner, Sara; Reuschel, Edith; Seelbach-Göbel, Birgit; Ernst, Wolfgang
• Is Part Of: Cytokine. Volume 116(2019)
• Page Start: 97
• Page End: 105
• Publication Date: 2019-04
• Subjects: Neonatal sepsis -- Indomethacin -- Betamethasone -- Fenoterol -- Escherichia coli (E. coli); MNC mononuclear cells -- EOS early onset sepsis -- LOS late onset sepsis -- GBS Group B streptococcus -- E. coli Escherichia coli -- VLBW very low birth weight -- Ig immunoglobulin -- PBS phosphate buffered saline -- BMI body mass index -- rcf relative centrifugal force -- FBS fetal bovine serum -- ELISA Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay -- TNF tumor necrosis factor -- IL interleukin -- MIP macrophage inflammatory protein -- SD standard deviation -- IFN interferon -- LPS lipopolysaccharide -- HPA hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal; Cytokines -- Periodicals; 571.844
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2018.12.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-4666

Abstract

Highlights: Maternal MNC produce highest levels of cytokines after stimulation Neonatal and adult MNC produce similar levels of cytokines after stimulation Betamethasone markedly reduces production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines Fenoterol and indomethacin alone have no marked effect on cytokine production Abstract: Despite considerable progress in the field of perinatal care, infectious diseases, especially when caused by gram negative bacteria, remain a major reason for neonatal morbidity and mortality. Notably infants born prematurely and those with very low birth weight are at risk due to their immature and deficient immune system and their prolonged hospitalization which promotes nosocomial infections. In case of impending preterm birth, betamethasone is given to induce lung maturation and tocolytic agents like indomethacin or fenoterol are administered to suppress premature labor. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of these drugs on the immune system of mothers and neonates. Therefore, mononuclear cells from cord blood and peripheral maternal blood were stimulated with Escherichia coli and incubated with betamethasone, indomethacin and fenoterol. Subsequently the effect of the treatment on cytokine production was determined. Betamethasone alone and in combination with tocolytic agents inhibited the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Not only does betamethasone dampen the immune response by reducing the production of cytokines, it also has a variety of other detrimental short- and long-term effects on the neonate. In conclusion we would recommend using biological markers to determine if premature labor actually leads to preterm birth and subsequently administer betamethasone only to mothers giving birth prematurely.