Cord blood antimicrobial peptide LL37 levels in preterm neonates and association with preterm complications.
Ren. Zhuxiao Z; Mo. Wenhui W; Yang. Liling L; Wang. Jianlan J; Zhang. Qi Q; Zhong. Zhicheng Z; Wei. Wei W; Liu. Zhipeng Z; Wu. Zhiping Z; Yao. Yao Y; Yang. Jie J
Key Findings
- Cord blood LL‑37 levels increase with gestational age and are lower in preterm infants compared to term infants.
- Higher LL‑37 levels in cord blood are linked to a reduced risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
- Prenatal steroid use decreases LL‑37 levels, and LL‑37 is negatively correlated with the inflammatory marker IL‑6.
Practical Outcomes
- For biohackers interested in immune modulation, the data suggest that boosting LL‑37 could theoretically support lung health and reduce inflammation, but the evidence is limited to newborns and not directly translatable to adult protocols. Until safe, effective ways to raise LL‑37 in adults are proven, focus on general anti‑inflammatory strategies (e.g., balanced diet, adequate sleep, stress reduction) rather than trying to manipulate this specific peptide.
Summary
The study found that newborns born early (preterm) have lower levels of the immune peptide LL‑37 in their cord blood, and those with higher LL‑37 were less likely to develop a serious lung problem called bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Steroid treatment before birth lowered LL‑37, while LL‑37 levels rose with each week of pregnancy.
Abstract
Cathelicidin/LL-37 plays a significant role in the human immune defense reaction. Preterm human immature organs being exposed to inflammation-induced injury was the critical denominator leading to the common preterm associated complications. Previous study showed LL37 concentration in preterm neonates was lower in tracheal aspirates and breast milk as compared to term infants. An adults study showed decreased LL-37 levels was a risk factor for patients in developing severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, little is known about the regulation of human cord blood LL37 in preterm neonates and the association with preterm complications. This study was designed to investigate the concentration of LL37 in cord blood of preterm infants and correlation with preterm complications. Singleton infants born in June 2017 to August 2021 in the study hospital were enrolled. Maternal and neonatal clinical characteristics were collected. LL37 levels, pro-inflammatory factor interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) in cord blood and LL37 levels in serum 48-72 hours after birth were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The serum level of LL37 in preterm and term neonates were compared, the perinatal factors possibly affecting the LL37 levels were investigated and the relationship between LL37 level and preterm outcomes were analyzed. Cord blood LL37 levels in preterm infants were lower than that in term neonates. Cord blood LL37 level was positively correlated with gestational age in preterm. Prenatal steroid administration in preterm neonates decreased cord blood LL37 level. LL37 level was obviously lower in patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Multiple line regression analysis showed higher LL37 level in cord blood was an independent protective factor for BPD. The concentration of pro-inflammatory factor IL-6 was negatively correlated with LL37. Cord blood LL37 levels increased during gestation and decreased after perinatal steroid usage. Very preterm infants who displayed higher cord blood LL37 level had reduced risk of developing BPD. Regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 may be associated with the protective effect of LL37 on BPD.
Study Information
pubmed
2022
2022-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
10.1186/s13052-022-01295-6
4
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