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Expression and regulation of B7 family molecules on macrophages (MΦ) in preterm and term neonatal cord blood and peripheral blood of adults
Author(s) -
Orlikowsky Thorsten W.,
Spring Bärbel,
Dannecker Günther E.,
Niethammer Dietrich,
Poets Christian F.,
Hoffmann Michael K.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
cytometry part b: clinical cytometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.646
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1552-4957
pISSN - 1552-4949
DOI - 10.1002/cyto.b.10033
Subject(s) - cd80 , cd86 , cord blood , cd40 , immune system , cytotoxic t cell , immunology , t cell , medicine , biology , in vitro , biochemistry
Background Macrophage (MΦ) receptors of the B7 family (CD80, CD86) play a crucial role in T cell activation: the lack of costimulation leads to anergy or apoptosis of reactive T cells. MΦ may differentiate into different subsets, the balance of which defines MΦ‐dependent T cell reactions. The aim of this study was to examine neonatal and adult T cell response with respect to the costimulatory MΦ‐potential in order to identify molecular predictors for the neonatal immune defense. Methods MΦ from peripheral blood (PBMΦ) or cord blood (CBMΦ) were stimulated with interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), CD40 ligand (CD40L), or αCD3. Results As compared to PBMΦ, CBMΦ showed a significantly decreased upregulation of CD80 and/or CD86 after stimulation with IFN‐γ, cAMP, CD40L, and αCD3. Accordingly, the proliferative T cell response was impaired in the presence of CBMΦ. The fraction of T cells that underwent cell death was higher, and blast formation was significantly lower than that observed in the presence of PBMΦ. Conclusions CBMΦ, as compared to PBMΦ, delivered fewer costimulatory but more cytotoxic signals to T cells. These observations suggest that MΦ are one factor explaining the suboptimal immune defense of neonates and their increased susceptibility to infection. Using the costimulatory MΦ‐potential as a predictor for immune responses requires a separate reference value system in neonatology. Cytometry Part B (Clin. Cytometry) 53B:40–47, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.