Neonatal immunity: faulty T-helpers and the shortcomings of dendritic cells

Habib Zaghouani; Christine M. Hoeman; Becky Adkins

doi:10.1016/j.it.2009.09.002

Neonatal immunity: faulty T-helpers and the shortcomings of dendritic cells

Habib Zaghouani^*, Christine M. Hoeman, Becky Adkins

^*Corresponding author for this work

Pediatrics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article

162 Scopus citations

Abstract

Immunity in the newborn is characterized by minimal T helper (Th)1 function but an excess of Th2 activity. Since Th1 lymphocytes are important to counter microbes and Th2 cells favor allergies, the newborn faces susceptibility to microbial infections and allergic reactions. Delayed maturation of certain dendritic cells leads to limited interleukin (IL)-12 production during the neonatal period. The Th2 cytokine locus of neonatal CD4 ⁺ T cells is poised epigenetically for rapid and robust production of IL-4 and IL-13. Together, these circumstances lead to efficient differentiation of Th2 cells and the expression of an IL-4Rα/IL-13Rα1 heteroreceptor on Th1 cells. Upon re-challenge, Th2 cells rapidly produce IL-4 which utilizes the heteroreceptor to drive apoptosis of Th1 cells, thus yielding the Th2 bias of neonatal immunity.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	585-591
Number of pages	7
Journal	Trends in Immunology
Volume	30
Issue number	12
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.it.2009.09.002
State	Published - Dec 1 2009

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ASJC Scopus subject areas

Immunology and Allergy
Immunology

Cite this

Zaghouani, H., Hoeman, C. M., & Adkins, B. (2009). Neonatal immunity: faulty T-helpers and the shortcomings of dendritic cells. Trends in Immunology, 30(12), 585-591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.it.2009.09.002

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10.1016/j.it.2009.09.002