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Inflammatory Mediators in Neonatal Asphyxia and Infection

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Neonatology

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Abstract

Inflammatory mediators produced in response to hypoxic-ischemic (H-I) injury and infection in the newborn, include multi-potent cytokines and chemokines released by a variety of somatic and bone marrow-derived cells both locally, in the brain and systemically, in the circulation. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-18, interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, are small polypeptides secreted in response to cellular injury and inflammation. Cytokines trigger somatic and immune cell activation, differentiation and death after signaling through their cognate receptors. Chemokines, such as CCL2 and CXCL8, are chemotactic cytokines that induce cells of the innate and adaptive immune system to leave the blood stream and migrate to sites of injury in the central nervous system (CNS) and in the periphery [1]. Cytokines and chemokines are considered critical mediators of brain damage and clinical indicators of overwhelming sepsis in the newborns. We review the cellular origin and role of cytokines and chemokines in these diseases. We also discuss treatment modalities that may interrupt these inflammatory cascades. A better understanding of the role of cytokines and chemokines in response to H-I injury and infection is likely to improve the outcome and long-term prognosis of these diseases in the newborn period.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neonatal Immunology Laboratory, B’Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, Athens, Greece

    Marietta Xanthou

Authors
  1. Marietta Xanthou
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  2. Victoria Niklas
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Division of Neonatology, University of Siena General Hospital S. Maria alle Scotte Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy

    Giuseppe Buonocore (Professor of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Head of School of Pediatrics) (Professor of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Head of School of Pediatrics)

  2. University of Siena, Siena, Italy

    Rodolfo Bracci (Formerly Professor of Pediatrics and Head of Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine) (Formerly Professor of Pediatrics and Head of Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine)

  3. University of Liverpool, UK

    Michael Weindling (Professor of Perinatal Medicine, Director of Postgraduate Research, Head of School of Paediatrics Mersey Deanery) (Professor of Perinatal Medicine, Director of Postgraduate Research, Head of School of Paediatrics Mersey Deanery)

  4. Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Institute of Translational Medicine, Liverpool, UK

    Michael Weindling (Professor of Perinatal Medicine, Director of Postgraduate Research, Head of School of Paediatrics Mersey Deanery) (Professor of Perinatal Medicine, Director of Postgraduate Research, Head of School of Paediatrics Mersey Deanery)

  5. Liverpool Women’s Hospital, Liverpool, UK

    Michael Weindling (Professor of Perinatal Medicine, Director of Postgraduate Research, Head of School of Paediatrics Mersey Deanery) (Professor of Perinatal Medicine, Director of Postgraduate Research, Head of School of Paediatrics Mersey Deanery)

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© 2012 Springer-Verlag Italia

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Xanthou, M., Niklas, V. (2012). Inflammatory Mediators in Neonatal Asphyxia and Infection. In: Buonocore, G., Bracci, R., Weindling, M. (eds) Neonatology. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1405-3_110

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1405-3_110

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-1404-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-1405-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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