Increased levels of IGF-1 and beta2-microglobulin in epithelial lining fluid of preterm newborns developing chronic lung disease. effects of rhG-CSF.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is involved in regulating the TH-l/TH-2 balance, favoring the development of the TH-2 compartment which enhances fibrosis, one of the main characteristics of Chronic Lung Disease (CLD) in premature newborns. Limited data is available concerning a possible association between early epithelial lining fluid (ELF) concentrations of IGF-1 (total and free forms), IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), b2-microglobulin (B2M) and subsequent development of CLD in preterm neonates. If neutropenic, preterm neonates are frequently treated with recombinant human Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (rhG-CSF). The objective of the study was to correlate ELF concentrations of IGF-1 and B2M during the first week of life both in non-neutropenic and in rhG-CSF-treated neutropenic preterm neonates, with subsequent development in CLD. Thirty preterm neonates with Respiratory Distress Syndrome (6 with neutropenia) were studied. Eleven out of 24 non-neutropenic preterm infants (46%) and all of t...