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Peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations in schoolchildren born very preterm
A S Pelkonen1, H Suomalainen, M Hallman
1Department of Allergic Diseases, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Meilahdentie 2, POB 160 00029 Huch, Finland.
Insights
Children born very preterm show altered immune cell levels and higher inflammation markers, linked to obstructive lung disease. This suggests an inflammatory basis for their lung function abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Immunology
- Neonatology
Background:
- Children born very preterm often experience respiratory complications.
- Immune system dysregulation may contribute to lung disease in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between lymphocyte subsets, serum inflammatory markers, and lung function in very preterm schoolchildren.
- To explore the relationship between these factors and obstructive lung disease and bronchial lability.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze lymphocyte subsets (T cells, B cells, NK cells) in 29 very preterm children and 14 term-born controls.
- Serum concentrations of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured.
- Spirometry and home monitoring assessed lung function and bronchial responsiveness.
Main Results:
- Very preterm children had lower CD4(+) T cell percentages and CD4:CD8 ratios, but higher natural killer cell percentages and serum ECP levels compared to controls.
- Significant reductions in spirometric values (except FVC) were observed in the very preterm group.
- A negative association was found between bronchial responsiveness and CD4(+) T cell percentage/CD4:CD8 ratio, indicating a link between bronchial lability and T cell imbalance.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest an inflammatory basis for lung function abnormalities in schoolchildren born very preterm.
- Immune system alterations, particularly T cell imbalances and inflammation, may play a crucial role in the respiratory health of this cohort.
Aim:
To investigate whether lymphocytes or serum inflammatory markers are associated with obstructive lung disease and bronchial lability in schoolchildren born very preterm.
Method:
Lymphocyte subsets were studied in the peripheral venous blood of 29 such children (median age 8.8 years). Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) concentrations and the association between them, lymphocyte subsets, and lung function were studied. Fourteen healthy children born at term, median age 9.1 years, served as controls. T lymphocytes (CD3), T lymphocyte subpopulations (CD4 and CD8), B lymphocytes (CD19), natural killer cells (CD16+56) and activation markers of T and B lymphocytes (CD23 and CD25) were determined using flow cytometry. Lung function was measured in all children both in the clinic and at home (Vitalograph Data Storage Spirometer).
Results:
Compared with the controls, schoolchildren born very preterm had significantly lower CD4(+) T cell percentages and CD4:CD8 ratios (p < 0.05 for both), whereas natural killer cell percentages and serum ECP values were significantly higher (p < 0. 05). The very preterm schoolchildren had significantly lower spirometric values than the control group (p < 0.05)-except forced vital capacity. When all the subjects were considered together, a weak, but significant, negative association was observed between the bronchial responsiveness in peak expiratory flow, after a beta(2) agonist during home monitoring, and the CD4(+) T cell percentage (r = -0.45; p = 0.008) and the CD4:CD8 ratio (r = -0.50; p = 0.003), indicating a relation between bronchial lability and imbalance of T cell subpopulations.
Conclusions:
These results suggest that there is an inflammatory basis for lung function abnormalities in schoolchildren born very preterm.