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Review
. 2009 Nov;67 Suppl 2(0 2):S152-63.
doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2009.00236.x.

Role of nutrients in the development of neonatal immune response

Susanna Cunningham-Rundles  1 , Hong Lin, Deborah Ho-Lin, Ann Dnistrian, Barrie R Cassileth, Jeffrey M Perlman
Affiliations
Review

Role of nutrients in the development of neonatal immune response

Susanna Cunningham-Rundles et al. Nutr Rev. 2009 Nov.

Abstract

Nutrients exert unique regulatory effects in the perinatal period that mold the developing immune system. The interactions of micronutrients and microbial and environmental antigens condition the post-birth maturation of the immune system, influencing reactions to allergens, fostering tolerance towards the emerging gastrointestinal flora and ingested antigens, and defining patterns of host defense against potential pathogens. The shared molecular structures that are present on microbes or certain plants, but not expressed by human cells, are recognized by neonatal innate immune receptors. Exposure to these activators in the environment through dietary intake in early life can modify the immune response to allergens and prime the adaptive immune response towards pathogens that express the corresponding molecular structures.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interest. The authors have no relevant interests to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Interactive effects of malnutrition and infection on immune response
Illustration of some of the ways in which malnutrition and infection modulate immune response and central involvement of the hypothalamic pituitary axis, as described in the text. Abbreviations: APR, acute-phase response; IR, immune response; lymphs, lymphocytes; grans, granulocytes; pre T, B, early uncommitted T and B lymphocytes in bone marrow; Pro T, B early committed T and B lymphocytes in bone marrow; TLR, Toll-like receptor.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Vitamin A levels in congenital HIV exposure
Data show comparison of serum transretinol levels in HIV-positive children (n = 13; mean age 2.2 ± 2.0 years) compared to seroreverter children (n = 9; mean age 1.1 ± 1.2 years) and control healthy children (n = 23; mean age 2.3 ± 1.6 years). Differences in vitamin A levels compared to controls were significant by one-way analysis of variance (P = 0.0003) and pairwise differences using Tukey’s multiple comparison test between HIV-positive versus controls and HIV-negative serorevertors compared to controls were significant (P < 0.05).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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