243 : Evaluation of the neonatal cytokine response: Basic mechanisms of activation via Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 in monocytes from term and preterm healthy newborns

The immaturity of the neonatal immune system has been suggested as the underlying factor for the susceptibility to infections. An efficient neonatal T-cell response requires the activation of antigen-presenting cells, which is triggered upon Toll-like receptors (TLRs) stimulation. The aim is to evaluate the response of monocytes from umbilical cord blood of healthy adequate-for-gestational-age term and preterm newborns, after ex-vivo TLR-2 and TLR-4 stimulation. Cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) from preterm