Overexpressed IL1R2 Cooperates with S100P and LEF1 to Mediate Immunosuppression in Preterm Infants

The molecular basis of immune incompetence in preterm infants and its association with immunosuppressive mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. To gain a comprehensive understanding of immune heterogeneity pertaining to the early neonatal immune system, we collected peripheral blood samples from preterm infants and full-term infants within 12 h after birth alongside peripheral blood samples from four adults for comparative single-cell transcription analysis.

Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we found that myeloid-derived cells from the peripheral blood of preterm infants, especially extremely preterm infants (< 28 weeks), highly expressed IL1R2. IL1R2+ myeloid-derived cells with S100P high expression and IL1R2+ regulatory T cells with LEF1 high expression may play an important role in immunosuppression during early immune development. High expression of IL1R2 in preterm infants may lead to immune suppression, and IL1R2 may affect both myeloid-derived cells and regulatory T cells, promoting immunosuppression with high S100P and LEF1 expression and playing an important role in immune suppression during early immune development in preterm infants.