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Publication Type honors thesis
School or College College of Science
Department Biology
Thesis Supervisor Harry R. Hill
Honors Advisor/Mentor Darryl Kropf
Creator Joyner, Joanna Lea
Title Cytokin deficiencies in the neonatal immune response
Date 2000-05
Year graduated 2000
Description Group B streptococci (GBS) are a major cause of early-onset infection in neonates and other immunocompromised hosts. Neonates have a deficiency in the production of the phagocyte activator and Th1 type cytokine, interferon gamma (IFNy). Interleukin 12 (IL-12), which is also a Th1 type cytokine, enhances IFNIy production. In this study we examined the transcription and translation of IL-12 and IFNIy by mixed mononuclear cells (MMC) from umbilical cord and adult peripheral blood samples in response to GBS. The translation of IL-12 and IFNIy proteins by MMCs from GBS stimulated cord and adult blood was determined by quantitative enzyme-linked-immunosorbentassay. Both IL-12 and IFNIy proteins were produced in lower concentrations by GBS exposed cord blood MMCs compared to MMCs from adults. Utilizing comparative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, we examined IL12 and IFNIy mRNA production using constitutively expressed glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase as the internal control. Cord blood MMCs transcribed less mRNA for both of these cytokines than did cells from adults. These data indicate that cord blood cells are deficient in the ability to transcribe and translate mRNA for these two essential cytokines, which likely contributes to the unique susceptibility of neonates to group B streptococcal infections.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject Maternally acquired immunity; Cytokines
Language eng
Rights Management (c) Joanna Lea Joyner
Format Medium application/pdf
ARK ark:/87278/s6r82jn0
Setname ir_htca
ID 1328695
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6r82jn0

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Title Page 10
Setname ir_htca
ID 1328705
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6r82jn0/1328705