BCG vaccination–induced emergency granulopoiesis provides rapid protection from neonatal sepsis

The EPIC Consortium

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

66 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Death from sepsis in the neonatal period remains a serious threat for millions. Within 3 days of administration, bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination can reduce mortality from neonatal sepsis in human newborns, but the underlying mechanism for this rapid protection is unknown. We found that BCG was also protective in a mouse model of neonatal polymicrobial sepsis, where it induced granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) within hours of administration. This was necessary and sufficient to drive emergency granulopoiesis (EG), resulting in a marked increase in neutrophils. This increase in neutrophils was directly and quantitatively responsible for protection from sepsis. Rapid induction of EG after BCG administration also occurred in three independent cohorts of human neonates.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbereaax4517
JournalScience Translational Medicine
Volume12
Issue number542
Pages (from-to)eaax4517
ISSN1946-6234
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 May 2020
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'BCG vaccination–induced emergency granulopoiesis provides rapid protection from neonatal sepsis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this