ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Neutrophil and monocyte adhesion molecules in bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and effects of corticosteroids

P Ballabh¹, M Simm², J Kumari, A N Krauss¹, A Jain¹, C Califano², M L Lesser³ and S Cunningham-Rundles²

¹ Division of Neonatology, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, USA
² Division of Hematology/Oncology/Immunology, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, USA
³ Biostatistics Unit North Shore and LIJ Research Institute, New York, USA

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr P Ballabh
Assistant Professor, Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, NICU, 2nd Floor, Main Building, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA; Pballabh{at}msn.com

Aims: To study a longitudinal change in the expression of adhesion molecules CD11b, CD18, and CD62L on neutrophils and monocytes in very low birth weight babies who develop respiratory distress syndrome, to compare these levels between bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and non-BPD infants, and to assess the effect of corticosteroid treatment on these adhesion molecules.

Methods: Of 40 eligible neonates, 11 neonates were oxygen dependent at 36 weeks (BPD 36 weeks), 16 infants were oxygen dependent at 28 days, but not at 36 weeks (BPD d28), and 13 infants did not develop BPD. Seventeen neonates received a six day course of steroid treatment. Expression of CD11b, CD18, and CD62L was measured on neutrophils and monocytes in arterial blood on days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28, and before and 2–3 days after initiation of dexamethasone treatment by flow cytometry.

Results: CD18 expression on neutrophils and monocytes and CD62L on neutrophils, measured as mean fluorescent intensity, was significantly decreased in BPD neonates compared to non-BPD neonates on days 1–28. Dexamethasone treatment significantly decreased CD11b, CD18, and CD62L expression on neutrophils, and CD11b and CD18L expression on monocytes.

Conclusions: Decreased CD18 expression on neutrophils and monocytes, and decreased CD62L expression on neutrophils, measured as mean fluorescent intensity during the first four weeks of life in micropremies may be risk factors and early predictors of BPD. Dexamethasone use was associated with decreased expression of CD11b, CD18, and CD62L.

Keywords: CD11b; CD18; CD62L; neonate; bronchopulmonary dysplasia; adhesion molecule; corticosteroid

Abbreviations: BPD, bronchopulmonary dysplasia; CPAP, continuous positive airway pressure; ICAM, intercellular adhesion molecule; RDS, respiratory distress syndrome

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Christou, H., Brodsky, D. (2005). Lung Injury and Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Newborn Infants. J Intensive Care Med 20: 76-87 [Abstract]