Author/Authors :
TURUL ÖZGÜR, Tuba Hacettepe University - Ihsan Dogramaci Children’s Hospital - Department of Immunology, TURKEY , YEL, Leman Hacettepe University - Ihsan Dogramaci Children’s Hospital - Department of Immunology, TURKEY , YEL, Leman University of California - Division of Basic and Clinical Immunology, USA , YIGIT, Sule Hacettepe University - Ihsan Dogramaci Children’s Hospital - Department of Neonatology, TURKEY , MESCI, Lütfiye Hacettepe University - Ihsan Dogramaci Children’s Hospital - Department of Immunology, TURKEY , SANAL, Özden Hacettepe University - Ihsan Dogramaci Children’s Hospital - Department of Immunology, TURKEY , TEZCAN, İlhan Hacettepe University - Ihsan Dogramaci Children’s Hospital - Department of Immunology, TURKEY , TEKINALP, Gülsevin Hacettepe University - Ihsan Dogramaci Children’s Hospital - Department of Neonatology, TURKEY , ERSOY, Fügen Hacettepe University - Ihsan Dogramaci Children’s Hospital - Department of Immunology, TURKEY
Abstract :
Aim: Gram-negative microorganisms are responsible for a significant percentage of systemic bacterial infections in neonates, which tend to progress to sepsis. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), one of the receptors in the innate immune system, binds to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) present on gram-negative bacteria. Following ligation, a cascade of cellular signals leads to activation of NF?B, resulting in the generation of such proinflammatory cytokines as TNFa, IL-1, IL-2, and IL-6. These are the mediators of inflammation, which is the cellular response to activation of the innate immune system. As such, TLR4 appears to be a very likely candidate involved in the immediate immune response to gram-negative bacteria. Two polymorphisms in the TLR4 gene,Asp299Gly and Thr 399Ile, cause a reduction in inflammatory cytokine response to LPS. Wesought to determine if there was any correlation between these polymorphisms and severe gram-negative infection in neonates. Materials and Methods: The study included 17 neonates with severe gram-negative infection and 70 healthy controls. Results: No polymorphism was noted in the patient group. In all, 4 Asp299Gly and 7 Thr399Ile heterozygous polymorphisms were observed in the control group, and 4 subjects had bothpolymorphisms. Conclusion: There appeared to be no correlation between the 2 polymorphisms–Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile– and gram-negative infection.
Keywords :
Neonate , TLR4 , gram , negative infections
