Early life immune system: ontogenesis and epigenesis

Journal title PNEI REVIEW
Author/s Francesco Bottaccioli
Publishing Year 2018 Issue 2018/1
Language Italian Pages 19 P. 92-110 File size 1298 KB
DOI 10.3280/PNEI2018-001008
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The immune system begins its ontogeny in uterus where, due to the physiological necessities of pregnancy, it develops according to an unbalanced Th2 profile, useful for the correct fulfilment of the same pregnancy. A series of factors - related to pregnancy, the time of gestation, the modalities of delivery, the type of feeding (breast or bottle), the bond of attachment that is built between mother and child, exposure to pollutants, drugs and some vaccines, through epigenetic mechanisms - influences the development of the immune system, which will reach characteristics similar to those of the adult only at the end of adolescence. The proper functioning of the adult immune system is largely dependent on the organization it acquires in the early stages of life.

Keywords: Neonatal immune system, Microbiome, pregnancy, Th2 bias, Breastfeeding, Preterm, Drugs and vaccines.

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Francesco Bottaccioli, Ontogenetica ed epigenetica del sistema immunitario nelle prime fasi della vita in "PNEI REVIEW" 1/2018, pp 92-110, DOI: 10.3280/PNEI2018-001008