Factor from Umbilical Cord Blood Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties (image)
Caption
Infection fighting cells from umbilical cord blood (left) and circulating blood three days after birth (right) from the same prematurely born baby. Umbilical cord blood has high levels of a factor, called neonatal NET inhibitory factor (nNIF), which inhibits a specific inflammatory response called NETs. Within two weeks after birth, nNIF levels drop and NETs can form. True to their name, they consist of a net-like substance that traps infectious agents like bacteria, as seen on the right. nNIF is showing promise as a potential therapy against harmful inflammation and sepsis.
Credit
Mark Cody/Diana Lim
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