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Expression of the costimulator molecules, CD40 and CD154, on lymphocytes from neonates and young children

S R Elliott1, D M Roberton, H Zola

  • 1Child Health Research Institute, Women's and Children's Hospital, South Australia, Australia.

Human Immunology
|March 15, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Neonatal lymphocytes show some differences in CD40 and CD154 expression compared to adults. However, these molecular variations do not fully explain the weaker T-dependent antibody responses observed in newborns.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Neonatal immunology

Background:

  • Neonates exhibit diminished T-dependent antibody responses.
  • Costimulator molecules CD40 and CD154 on lymphocytes are crucial for T-cell dependent immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of CD40 and CD154 on neonatal lymphocytes.
  • To determine if differential expression of these molecules explains impaired neonatal humoral immunity.

Main Methods:

  • Flow cytometry was used to analyze CD40 and CD154 expression on lymphocytes from cord blood, children, and adults.
  • Cells were stimulated with PMA/ionomycin or anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb).
  • Mononuclear cells were depleted of B cells and monocytes in some experiments.

Main Results:

  • CD40 expression was similar on resting B cells across age groups but higher on stimulated cord blood B cells.
  • CD154 expression on cord blood T cells was initially similar to adults but more transient.
  • After T-cell activation, some cord blood specimens showed altered CD154 expression kinetics compared to adults, while others showed similar patterns.

Conclusions:

  • While some differences in CD40 and CD154 expression exist between neonatal and adult lymphocytes, they do not fully account for the reduced humoral immunity in neonates.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind impaired neonatal immune responses.

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