Effect of dexamethasone on IL-10 and IL-12p40 production in newborns and adults

The effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-12p40 produ ction was examined in preterm newborns, term infants and was compared to th at in adults. Mononuclear cells isolated from newborn cord blood (CBMC) and peripheral blood from adults (PBMC) were incubated with lipopolysaccharide in the absence or presence of DEX at concentrations between 10(-8) and 10( -5) M. Cytokine concentration in the supernatants was tested using ELISA ki ts. DEX induced a dose-dependent inhibition of IL-10 production by PBMC fro m adults whereas CBMC from newborns were mostly unaffected by the drug. DEX caused a dose-dependent inhibition of lL-12p40 secretion by cells of the t hree age groups, although to a different extent. Since IL-12 plays a critic al role in the development of a protective immune response to fungal infect ion, it is conceivable that the inhibition of lL-12p40 secretion caused by DEX may contribute to the increased occurrence of fungal infections in pret erms treated with this drug. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG,Basel.