Age-related cytokine imbalance in the thymus in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Background Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been considered to be triggered by a combination of underlying immune dysregulation and infections. The thymus is a crucial lymphatic organ responsible for T cell development in infancy. We hypothesized that an altered thymic immune status may be de...

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Published in:Pediatric research 2024-03, Vol.95 (4), p.949-958
Main Authors: Qu, Dong, Preuss, Vanessa, Hagemeier, Lars, Radomsky, Lena, Beushausen, Kerstin, Keil, Jana, Nora, Schaumann, Vennemann, Benedikt, Falk, Christine S., Klintschar, Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Babies
Basic Science Article
Childrens health
Cytokines
Infections
Lymphocytes
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Pediatric Surgery
Pediatrics
SIDS
Sudden infant death syndrome
Thymus gland
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Summary:Background Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been considered to be triggered by a combination of underlying immune dysregulation and infections. The thymus is a crucial lymphatic organ responsible for T cell development in infancy. We hypothesized that an altered thymic immune status may be detectable by intrathymic cytokine profiling in SIDS. Methods 27 cytokines in protein lysates of thymus tissue and thymus weights were assessed in 26 SIDS cases and 16 infants who died of other reasons. Results Seventeen out of 27 cytokines were increased in thymic tissue of SIDS compared to controls without infections, and the most significant discrepancy was in infants younger than 20 weeks. The thymic cytokine profiles in SIDS cases were similar to those in controls with severe infection; however, the magnitude of the cytokine concentration elevation in SIDS was less pronounced, indicating sub-clinical infections in SIDS. In contrast to SIDS, intrathymic cytokine concentrations and thymus weight were increased with age in control children. Conclusions Elevated thymic cytokine expression and thymus weight, as well as impaired age-related alterations in SIDS, may be influenced by subclinical infection, which may play a role in initiating SIDS in infants with a compromised immune response. Impact Statement Increased thymic weight and cytokine concentration may suggest possible subclinical infection in SIDS. Elevated thymic weight and cytokine concentration mainly in SIDS cases aged
ISSN:0031-3998
1530-0447
DOI:10.1038/s41390-023-02809-6