Concentrations of immune marker in newborn dried blood spots and early childhood development: Results from the Upstate KIDS Study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence shows cytokine dysregulation in children with developmental disabilities. The association between immune activity during the perinatal period and child development is less clear. METHODS: We examined the relationship between newborn concentrations of immune markers and child development. Within Upstate KIDS, a population-based birth cohort (2008-2010, upstate New York), we assayed immune markers, which are postulated to have neuro-modulatory effects, in newborn dried blood spots (NDBS, n = 3038). Mothers completed the Ages & Stages Questionnaire© (ASQ) for their children repeatedly through age 36 months. At 30 and 36 months, mothers also reported whether their children received any developmental services. We used generalised linear mixed models adjusted for maternal and child characteristics to test associations. RESULTS: Sixteen immune markers were associated with failing ASQ in unadjusted models. After full adjustment (for gestational age, mode of delivery, parity, pregnancy smoking, etc.), we observed that higher levels of 4 markers, including platelet-derived growth factor-AA (PDGF-AA, OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.67, 0.89), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.68, 0.94), stromal cell derived factor-1 (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.73, 0.98), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.77, 0.98) were associated with lower odds of ASQ failure. The associations did not exist if correction for multiple comparisons was performed, except for PDGF-AA. Analyses with developmental service use revealed similar null findings. CONCLUSIONS: Immune marker concentrations in NDBS may not be associated with developmental delay in the general population. Newborn concentrations of growth factor PDGF-AA may be protective of developmental delay in childhood.

Are there early inflammatory biomarkers that affect neurodevelopment in infancy?

Few studies have investigated the relationship between post-natal inflammatory biomarkers at early age and child neurodevelopment outcomes. The main aim of this study was to examine the relationship between IL-6, IL-1ß, IL-4 cytokines, as well as cortisol at 6 and 12months of age, and neurodevelopment and psychological problems at 30months of age. The study was conducted on a sample of 51 full-term newborns who were followed up at 6, 12, and 30months of age. Infant neurodevelopment was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II, psychological problems were assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist 1.5-5 (CBCL 1.5-5) and the mother's emotional symptoms were assessed with the General Health Questionnaire-28. When the infants were 6 and 12months old, IL-6, IL-1ß, IL-4 cytokines, and cortisol were measured in blood samples. The results showed that higher IL-6 at 12months predicted higher scores in internalizing (emotionally reactive, anxious/depressed, withdrawn and attention problems) and externalizing problems (aggressive behavior) at 30months. By contrast, high levels of IL-1ß at 6months were related to worse motor skills. Inflammatory biomarkers were not related to mental performance. IL-6 and IL-1ß could be early markers of later psychological problems and psychomotor disabilities.

Myb-like, SWIRM, and MPN domains 1 (MYSM1) deficiency: Genotoxic stress-associated bone marrow failure and developmental aberrations.

BACKGROUND: Myb-like, SWIRM, and MPN domains 1 (MYSM1) is a transcriptional regulator mediating histone deubiquitination. Its role in human immunity and hematopoiesis is poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: We sought to investigate the clinical, cellular, and molecular features in 2 siblings presenting with progressive bone marrow failure (BMF), immunodeficiency, and developmental aberrations. METHODS: We performed genome-wide homozygosity mapping, whole-exome and Sanger sequencing, immunophenotyping studies, and analysis of genotoxic stress responses. p38 activation, reactive oxygen species levels, rate of apoptosis and clonogenic survival, and growth in immune and nonimmune cells were assessed. The outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) was monitored. RESULTS: We report 2 patients with progressive BMF associated with myelodysplastic features, immunodeficiency affecting B cells and neutrophil granulocytes, and complex developmental aberrations, including mild skeletal anomalies, neurocognitive developmental delay, and cataracts. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a homozygous premature stop codon mutation in the gene encoding MYSM1. MYSM1-deficient cells are characterized by increased sensitivity to genotoxic stress associated with sustained induction of phosphorylated p38 protein, increased reactive oxygen species production, and decreased survival following UV light-induced DNA damage. Both patients were successfully treated with allogeneic HSCT with sustained reconstitution of hematopoietic defects. CONCLUSIONS: Here we show that MYSM1 deficiency is associated with developmental aberrations, progressive BMF with myelodysplastic features, and increased susceptibility to genotoxic stress. HSCT represents a curative therapy for patients with MYSM1 deficiency.

Mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease (MASP)-1 is crucial for lectin pathway activation in human serum, whereas neither MASP-1 nor MASP-3 is required for alternative pathway function.

The lectin pathway of complement is an important component of innate immunity. Its activation has been thought to occur via recognition of pathogens by mannan-binding lectin (MBL) or ficolins in complex with MBL-associated serine protease (MASP)-2, followed by MASP-2 autoactivation and cleavage of C4 and C2 generating the C3 convertase. MASP-1 and MASP-3 are related proteases found in similar complexes. MASP-1 has been shown to aid MASP-2 convertase generation by auxiliary C2 cleavage. In mice, MASP-1 and MASP-3 have been reported to be central also to alternative pathway function through activation of profactor D and factor B. In this study, we present functional studies based on a patient harboring a nonsense mutation in the common part of the MASP1 gene and hence deficient in both MASP-1 and MASP-3. Surprisingly, we find that the alternative pathway in this patient functions normally, and is unaffected by reconstitution with MASP-1 and MASP-3. Conversely, we find that the patient has a nonfunctional lectin pathway, which can be restored by MASP-1, implying that this component is crucial for complement activation. We show that, although MASP-2 is able to autoactivate under artificial conditions, MASP-1 dramatically increases lectin pathway activity at physiological conditions through direct activation of MASP-2. We further demonstrate that MASP-1 and MASP-2 can associate in the same MBL complex, and that such cocomplexes are found in serum, providing a scenario for transactivation of MASP-2. Hence, in functional terms, it appears that MASP-1 and MASP-2 act in a manner analogous to that of C1r and C1s of the classical pathway.

Pediatric macrophagic myofasciitis associated with motor delay.

BACKGROUND: Macrophagic myofasciitis (MMF) is a rare inflammatory myopathy characterized by accumulation of perifascicular macrophages without muscle fiber necrosis. Few sporadic pediatric cases have been described, and MMF is recognized as a possible reaction to intramuscular injections of aluminum-containing vaccines. The association of MMF and motor delay is unclear in the pediatric population. We report the clinical evaluation and follow-up of 4 young children with MMF and review of 4 cases previously reported of sporadic, pediatric MMF to better determine the possible association of sporadic MMF in children presenting with motor delay. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Described our 4 case reports in which we observed children presenting for evaluation of motor delay with unrevealing clinical and laboratory evaluations for common causes of motor delay and histopathological evaluations consistent with macrophagic myofasciitis. Muscle data was obtained by quadriceps muscle biopsy. RESULTS: Clinical presentations were similar in all children and were characterized by motor delay, hypotonia, and failure to thrive with an unrevealing evaluation for central nervous system disease, congenital, and mitochondrial myopathies. CONCLUSIONS: Our cases and those previously reported in the literature demonstrate MMF should be considered in the evaluation of children with failure to thrive, hypotonia, and muscle weakness, as clinical outcome appears to be favorable.

Population cohort associating chorioamnionitis, cord inflammatory cytokines and neurologic outcome in very preterm, extremely low birth weight infants.

Intrauterine inflammation may relate to neurologic disability among preterm children. We investigated the relationship between chorioamnionitis, cord serum cytokines, and neurologic outcome. Sixty-one consecutively born very preterm extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants were prospectively enrolled. Histologic inflammation in placenta and umbilical cord and vascular pathology were evaluated. Cord sera were analyzed for five proinflammatory cytokines. Serial brain ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging were performed for evaluation of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH grade I-III) and white matter damage (WMD: cystic periventricular leukomalacia or IVH grade IV). Neurologic and neurocognitive outcomes were assessed at the corrected age of 2 y. The incidences of HCA, WMD, and abnormal neurologic outcome were 48%, 13% and 19%, respectively. HCA or high IL-6 in cord serum predicted spontaneous preterm labor with high accuracy. HCA increased the risk of IVH grade II-III. In HCA, without either clinical chorioamnionitis or histologic placental perfusion defect, the children had a low risk of WMD (0%) and a low risk of abnormal neurologic outcome (6%). In HCA, the concentration of IL-6 in cord serum was lower in children with abnormal neurologic outcome than in children with normal neurologic outcome. In HCA and placental perfusion defect (compound defect) the risk of abnormal neurologic outcome was high. Compound placental defect and WMD additively predicted abnormal neurologic outcome. We propose that HCA together with other insults (placental perfusion defect or maternal systemic infection) increases the risk of poor neurologic outcome in very preterm ELBW infants.

Does interleukin-6 genotype influence cerebral injury or developmental progress after preterm birth?

OBJECTIVE: The severity of the proinflammatory response may determine outcome in the critically ill. Genetic variation in the promoter region of the gene encoding the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6; -174 CC genotype) may encode enhanced production of IL-6. Our objective was to determine whether the CC genotype is associated with worse early illness severity, neurologic injury, and lower developmental scores among surviving preterm children. METHODS: Genotype was determined from dried blood spots that were taken for neonatal screening tests 7 days or more after birth; outcome was independently assessed as part of a longitudinal study of children of < or =32 weeks' gestational age. RESULTS: CC genotype was associated with worse intensive care indices. Significant hemorrhagic brain injuries occurred in 5 (19%) of 27 children with CC genotype compared with 7 (6%) of 121 children with GC or GG genotype, and images consistent with white matter damage (ventriculomegaly or cystic periventricular leukomalacia) occurred in 9 (26%) of CC patients compared with 9 (7%) in GC/GG children. Disability occurred significantly more often in CC children: 8 (31%) compared with 16 (13%). A similar trend was also noted in children with cerebral palsy (15% compared with 7%, respectively). Developmental, cognitive, and motor scores at 2 years and 5.5 years were independent of genotype among children with or without disability. CONCLUSIONS: In a population of surviving children who were born at < or =32 weeks' gestational age, variation of the gene that may increase IL-6 synthesis is associated with disabling brain injury but not cognitive development despite association with worse early critical care indices.

Persistent developmental delay despite successful bone marrow transplantation for purine nucleoside phosphorylase deficiency.

A 10-month-old girl with a history of recurrent candidiasis, developmental delay, and a fulminant varicella infection is described. The diagnosis of purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) deficiency was suggested by a reduced level of serum uric acid and confirmed by measurement of PNP activity. A human leukocyte antigen-matched bone marrow transplantation resulted in immune reconstitution, but poor neurodevelopmental progression.

Selective IgG2 subclass deficiency--a marker for the syndrome of pre/postnatal growth retardation, developmental delay, hypotrophy of distal extremities, dental anomalies and eczema.

We report a third family with members displaying pre- and postnatal growth retardation, hypotonia, psychomotor retardation, small puffy hands and feet, dental anomalies and eczematous skin. The four affected members are all females born to unrelated parents consistent with the previously proposed autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. We report a further clinical feature of selective immunoglobulin IgG2 subclass deficiency which would explain some of the clinical findings and might provide an immunological marker for diagnostic confirmation of the syndrome.