H Schneider1, C E Weber, K Hellwig, H Schroten, T Tenenbaum. 1. Paediatric Infectious Diseases, University Children's Hospital Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany. henriette.schneider@medma.uni-heidelberg.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pregnancies in women with severe relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis treated with natalizumab constitute a major challenge, because withdrawal of the drug may cause relapses but continuation might have unknown effects on the infantile immune system. AIMS OF THE STUDY: To identify the impact of maternal natalizumab treatment during pregnancy on basic immune functions of the newborn. METHODS: Basic immunological testing and assessment of the chemotaxis rate of freshly isolated T lymphocytes in the presence and absence of CXCL12 was performed in two neonates, whose mothers were treated with natalizumab until the 34th week of pregnancy (pw). RESULTS: Both children had an uneventful birth. However, a reduction in the CXCL12-induced T-cell chemotaxis was found in both children. In contrast, the chemotaxis rate of unstimulated T lymphocytes was not altered. The distribution of the lymphocyte subpopulations was investigated only in case 1 and was normal. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we present to our knowledge the first assessment of T lymphocytes chemotaxis rate in two natalizumab-exposed newborns. A significant reduction in the CXCL12-induced chemotaxis rate of T lymphocytes has been observed and may compromise host defence function in early life. More clinical and immunological data on natalizumab-exposed neonates are warranted.
BACKGROUND: Pregnancies in women with severe relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis treated with natalizumab constitute a major challenge, because withdrawal of the drug may cause relapses but continuation might have unknown effects on the infantile immune system. AIMS OF THE STUDY: To identify the impact of maternal natalizumab treatment during pregnancy on basic immune functions of the newborn. METHODS: Basic immunological testing and assessment of the chemotaxis rate of freshly isolated T lymphocytes in the presence and absence of CXCL12 was performed in two neonates, whose mothers were treated with natalizumab until the 34th week of pregnancy (pw). RESULTS: Both children had an uneventful birth. However, a reduction in the CXCL12-induced T-cell chemotaxis was found in both children. In contrast, the chemotaxis rate of unstimulated T lymphocytes was not altered. The distribution of the lymphocyte subpopulations was investigated only in case 1 and was normal. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we present to our knowledge the first assessment of T lymphocytes chemotaxis rate in two natalizumab-exposed newborns. A significant reduction in the CXCL12-induced chemotaxis rate of T lymphocytes has been observed and may compromise host defence function in early life. More clinical and immunological data on natalizumab-exposed neonates are warranted.
Authors: Yara D Fragoso; Tarso Adoni; Soniza V Alves-Leon; Nério D Azambuja; Amilton A Barreira; Joseph B B Brooks; Denise S D Carneiro; Margarete J Carvalho; Rinaldo Claudino; Elizabeth R Comini-Frota; Renan B Domingues; Alessandro Finkelzstejn; Paulo D Gama; Maria C B Giacomo; Sidney Gomes; Marcus V M Goncalves; Anderson K Grzesiuk; Damacio R Kaimen-Maciel; Maria F Mendes; Nivea M O Morales; Rogério R Morales; Andre Muniz; Regina M Papais-Alvarenga; Monica K F Parolin; Sonia B F Ribeiro; Heloisa H Ruocco; Fabio Siquineli; Elza D Tosta Journal: CNS Drugs Date: 2013-11 Impact factor: 5.749