Immunologists Enhance Immune Response of Newborns

Observations of TLRs from newborns have usually led to the conclusion that they fail to respond to antigens. However, by evaluating each TLR separately, the investigators found that TLR8 responded to antigen stimulation in a fashion similar to that found in adults. This response included the production of normal, adult levels of two key cytokines--TNF-alpha and IL-12--and another immune-system stimulant, CD40. These findings were published in the April 25, 2006, online edition of Blood.

"These findings suggest that agents that stimulate TLR8 could be used to enhance immune responses in newborns, perhaps as adjuvants given along with vaccines,” said first author Dr. Ofer Levy, professor of infectious diseases at Children's Hospital.



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Harvard University's Children's Hospital