 |
|
Children's Hospital researchers identify molecular 'switch' that could save very young lives
December 05, 2007David Hackam, MD, PhD, presents findings at American Society for Cell Biology meeting
A team of researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC have identified a molecular "switch" that, when blocked, may help reverse necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a leading cause of death in premature infants.
Results of the research were presented by principal investigator David J. Hackam, MD, PhD, a pediatric surgeon and scientist at Children's Hospital, this weekend at the 4th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology.
NEC is a severe inflammatory disease of the intestine that occurs in about 5 percent of premature births and can be fatal in as many as half of those cases. In extreme cases, NEC leads to perforation of the intestine, a condition that can be fatal if not treated with emergency surgery. NEC is increasing in frequency due to the increased survival of premature infants, according to Dr. Hackam.
Working in the laboratory with an animal model of NEC, Dr. Hackam's team found that when molecular receptor known as Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) was blocked, they enabled the repair of damaged intestinal tissue that is the hallmark of NEC.
"This Toll-like receptor is a defense mechanism that normally switches on the intestine's immune response. But in some premature infants, stresses like oxygen deprivation and toxins caused by underdeveloped lungs stimulate the overproduction of TLR4. Like an unstoppable alarm, this signaling eventually can lead to cell death and prevent enterocytes from migrating to close wounds in the intestine, which can result in intestinal failure," Dr. Hackam said. "By interfering with the production of another molecule associated with TLR4 known as focal adhesion kinase (FAK), we were able to silence the TLR4 alarm in intestinal cells."
Blocking the TLR4 signal allowed enterocytes to once again migrate and heal the damaged intestinal tissue. Dr. Hackam's team is continuing to research the development of treatment strategies that would block the TLR4 switch by influencing its interaction with FAK. Potentially, these novel treatments could be administered as a component of oral feeds for infants, Dr. Hackam said.
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
NEC is a severe inflammatory disease of the intestine that occurs in about 5 percent of premature births and can be fatal in as many as half of those cases. In extreme cases, NEC leads to perforation of the intestine, a condition that can be fatal if not treated with emergency surgery. NEC is increasing in frequency due to the increased survival of premature infants, according to Dr. Hackam.
Working in the laboratory with an animal model of NEC, Dr. Hackam's team found that when molecular receptor known as Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) was blocked, they enabled the repair of damaged intestinal tissue that is the hallmark of NEC.
"This Toll-like receptor is a defense mechanism that normally switches on the intestine's immune response. But in some premature infants, stresses like oxygen deprivation and toxins caused by underdeveloped lungs stimulate the overproduction of TLR4. Like an unstoppable alarm, this signaling eventually can lead to cell death and prevent enterocytes from migrating to close wounds in the intestine, which can result in intestinal failure," Dr. Hackam said. "By interfering with the production of another molecule associated with TLR4 known as focal adhesion kinase (FAK), we were able to silence the TLR4 alarm in intestinal cells."
Blocking the TLR4 signal allowed enterocytes to once again migrate and heal the damaged intestinal tissue. Dr. Hackam's team is continuing to research the development of treatment strategies that would block the TLR4 switch by influencing its interaction with FAK. Potentially, these novel treatments could be administered as a component of oral feeds for infants, Dr. Hackam said.
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Science News and Science Current Events Tag Cloud
This tag cloud is a visual representation of term frequencies of random science news topics with common terms grouped together and emphasized by their display size.
Vascular Disease Genes Drug-eluting Stents Bone Marrow Galaxies Dolphins Epithelial Cells Human Brain Permafrost Fishing Stem cells Space Telescope Glutamate Ice Core White Dwarf Galaxy Formation Quality Of Life Brain Damage E Coli Chromosomes Gamma-ray Bursts Hiv Testing Eating Disorder Genetics Anxiety Disorders
See More: Science News Tags
Premature Infants Current Events and Premature Infants News RSSNew clue into how brain stem cells develop into cells which repair damaged tissue
The joint research, funded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the UK MS Society as well as the National Institutes of Health and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, was conducted by scientists at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and University of Cambridge and was published today (01 July) in the journal Genes and Development.
MS study offers theory for why repair of brain's wiring fails
Scientists have uncovered new evidence suggesting that damage to nerve cells in people with multiple sclerosis accumulates because the body's natural mechanism for repair of the nerve coating called "myelin" stalls out.
Even mildly premature infants have increased risk of a common respiratory tract infection
Even mildly premature infants (gestational ages of 33 weeks through 36 weeks) have an increased risk of medically attended respiratory syncytial virus infection, which is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children and can lead to pneumonia in babies.
Packard/Stanford study suggests two causes for bowel disease in infants
New research from Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and the Stanford University School of Medicine is helping physicians unravel the cause of a deadly and mysterious bowel disease that strikes medically fragile newborn babies.
Medical costs for one premature baby could cover a dozen healthy births
The medical costs that businesses pay to care for one premature baby for a year could cover the costs for nearly a dozen healthy, full-term infants, according to new statistics from the March of Dimes.
Estrogen activates critical lung genes to improve lung function following preterm birth
Estrogen may be a new postnatal therapy to improve lung function and other outcomes in preterm infants, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found in an animal study.
Crib-side studies help struggling newborns go home without feeding tubes
A new strategy developed in the Neonatal and Infant Feeding Disorders Program at Nationwide Children's Hospital is helping premature infants and other newborns with severe swallowing difficulties learn to feed on their own.
Research exposes the risk to infants from the chemicals used in liquid medicines
A team of medical scientists from the University of Leicester has published research which looks into the harmful substances in liquid medicines that premature babies are being exposed to.
Premature babies have altered sensory responses in later life
Premature infants who need intensive care or surgery are less sensitive to thermal (hot and cold) sensations later in life, according to research conducted at UCL (University College London).
SIDS link: Low blood pressure in preterm infants
Scientists from Monash University, Melbourne have shown that infants born prematurely have lower blood pressure during sleep in the first six months of life, compared to healthy, full-term infants.
More Premature Infants Current Events and Premature Infants News Articles
 |
Primary Care of the Premature Infant by Dara Brodsky MD (Author), Mary Ann Ouellette MS APRN IBCLC (Author) Our understanding of the management of diseases in the premature infant has changed dramatically in recent years, and it can be quite difficult to remain up-to-date on changes in this highly scientific field. Dr. Brodsky and Ms. Ouellette have worked together to create a comprehensive reference that covers both the pathophysiology and epidemiology of problems occurring in premature babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and the management of these problems once the infant has been released from the NICU to a community practice. The book emphasizes specific diseases that affect premature infants and focuses on two primary categories: background and management in the NICU, and management of specific illnesses after discharge from the NICU. Find information quickly using an... |
|
Your Premature Baby: Everything You Need to Know About Childbirth, Treatment, and Parenting by Wiley The definitive guide to caring for your premature infant—in a newly revised and expanded edition. The comprehensive and acclaimed guide to everything you need to know about your premature baby, from prebirth preparation to home care, is now more up-to-date than ever. This new and expanded edition covers the latest procedures, equipment, and medications, and includes the most current information available on multiple births, respiratory treatments, nutrition, diagnostic imaging, follow-up therapies, and more. You'll also find moving and instructive personal accounts from other parents who have coped with the emotional and practical issues of premature birth. With updated resources for parents on everything from clothing and breastfeeding to social services, financial... | |
 |
Your Premature Baby: The First Five Years by Nikki Bradford (Author), Sandra Lousada (Photographer), Jonathan Hellmann (Photographer), Sharyn Gibbins (Photographer) Your Premature Baby is the definitive guide to every aspect of nurturing a child who is born too soon. Reassuring and frank, it is the only book that informs and guides parents right from their baby's too-early birth into the growing years. Features of this book: |
 |
Similac NeoSure Advance Premature Infant Formula Powder with Iron, Case of 6 Cans- each 12.8 Ounces by Similac Similac NeoSure Selecting the correct baby formula for a premature baby is vital to its growth and development. Similac NeoSure is baby formula which is designed specially to meet the nutritional needs of premature and low-birth weight babies after they are discharged from the hospital. This is a Similac formula which provides more protein, vitamins and minerals than other baby formula designed for full-term babies. NeoSure from Similac helps support the rapid growht of a premature baby throughout the important first year of life. A study done by doctors and published in Pediatrics 2001 found that Similac NeoSure has improved the growth of premature babies when compared to babies fed term formula. Babies born premature miss out on the transfer of many important nutrients from mom. ... |
 |
Preemies: The Essential Guide for Parents of Premature Babies by Dana Wechsler Linden (Author), Emma Trenti Paroli (Author), Mia Wechsler Doron M.D. (Author) Preemies is the only resource of its kind -- a comprehensive "Dr. Spock"-like reference that is both reassuring and realistic, delivering up-to-the-minute information on medical care in a warm, caring, and engaging voice. Authors Dana Wechsler Linden and Emma Trenti Paroli are parents who have "been there." Together with neonatologist Mia Wechsler Doron, they answer the dozens of questions that parents will have at every stage -- from high-risk pregnancy through preemie's hospitalization, to homecoming and the preschool years -- imparting a vast, detailed store of knowledge in clear language that all readers can understand. Preemies covers topics related to premature birth,including: What are your risk factors for having a premature baby? Can you do something to delay early... |
 |
NICU Preemie and Newborn Cotton Knit Hats (Four Sizes!), Small Infant 5-8 Pounds, Peach Small soft 100% cotton preemie hat fits infants: 0-3; 3-6; 5-8 and 8-12 pounds. Please select size and color when ordering. By Jacqui's Preemie Pride |
 |
The Premature Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Premature Baby from Birth to Age One by Little, Brown and Company This book focuses on the essential needs of babies-eating, sleeping, development, health, and comfort-and covers virtually every aspect of caring for the premature infant. |
 |
White and Pink Crib Baby Shoes (Three sizes! Small preemie to newborn), Small Infant 5-8 Pounds Beautiful and so soft! Handmade sweet crib shoes designed for preemies and small infants. 100% soft cotton flannel. White shoe with pink and white striped liner. White satin tie. Pink bow with white rose center on front of shoe and heel. (Amount of bows will vary depending on size ordered.) Available in three sizes: small preemie 3-6 pounds, small infant 5-8 pounds and newborn 8-12 lbs. By Jacqui's Preemie Pride |
 |
Stunning Rose Pink Hooded Receiving Blanket Small Infant 5-8 lbs Made with 100% soft pink rose cotton knit. Rose pink hooded blanket trimmed with white knit floral lace with scalloped edges on hood. Available in five sizes starting under 1.5 pounds; 0-3; 3-6; 5-8 and 8-12 pounds. By Jacqui's Preemie Pride |
 |
Angelic White Receiving Baby Blanket (Five preemie and newborn sizes), Small Infant 5-8 lbs Very sweet eight piece set. Unisex print. Wonderful gift set to take baby home. White 100% cotton interlock knit short sleeve t-shirt with brown, yellow and light green giraffes and soft green flowers. Velcro closures on front and shoulders for easy on/off access. Matching hat, receiving blanket, booties and pants (with adjustable velcro closures). Teal green short sleeve shirt with velcro closures on shoulders and front, matching pants with adjustable velcro waist. Brown diaper cover with velcro closures for easy access. Four sizes! 0-3; 3-6; 5-8 and 8-12 pounds. By Jacqui's Preemie Pride NICU hospital friendly! |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |