LPS-induced IFN networks predict severe viral Lower Respiratory tract Infections in infancy

Severe LRIs are a major cause of infant/child hospitalization and a risk factors for asthma pathogenisis. Innate immune interactions with microbial pathogens, esp. in early life, underpin risk. We aimed to characterize cord blood mononuclear cell (CBMC) responses to activation of micriobial recognition receptors (TLRs 3, 4, & 7) and identify response pattern variations associated withsLRI susceptibility in infancy. Overall design: 308 samples in total. Human cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) were available from 50 individuals, 27 of these subjects had matched PBMCs collected at 5 years. Samples were block randomized and cultured in the presence of each of three innate immune stimuli (LPS, Imiquimod, & Poly(I:C)), alongside an untreated control.