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Isolation of Precursor B-cell Subsets from Umbilical Cord Blood
Published on: April 16, 2013
[Study of phenotypes and functions of cord blood dendritic cells from fetuses whose mothers had chronic hepatitis B]
Heng-hui Zhang1, Hui-xia Yang, Hong-li Xi
1First Hospital of Peking University, Beijing l00034, China.
Insights
Maternal chronic hepatitis B impairs fetal immune cells. Cord blood dendritic cells from mothers with chronic hepatitis B show reduced function and maturation, impacting infant immunity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hepatology
- Perinatology
Context:
- Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in pregnant women poses risks to fetal development.
- Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial for initiating adaptive immune responses.
- Understanding maternal immune status effects on neonatal immunity is vital.
Purpose:
- To investigate the phenotypes and functions of cord blood dendritic cells (CBDCs) from fetuses of mothers with CHB.
- To compare CBDCs from CHB-affected pregnancies with those from healthy pregnancies and adult controls.
Summary:
- CBDCs from CHB-positive mothers exhibited lower expression of maturation markers (CD80, CD83) and reduced IL-12 production compared to healthy controls.
- These CHB-affected CBDCs demonstrated diminished capacity to induce T-lymphocyte proliferation.
- Overall, maturation and function of CBDCs were significantly impaired in pregnancies affected by CHB.
Impact:
- Findings suggest a compromised neonatal immune system in infants born to mothers with CHB.
- This may increase susceptibility to infections and influence vaccine efficacy in affected newborns.
- Highlights the importance of monitoring maternal health during pregnancy for optimal infant immune outcomes.
Objective:
To investigate the phenotypes and functions of cord blood dendritic cells of fetuses whose mothers are patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Methods:
Peripheral blood and cord blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from whole blood by density gradient centrifugation with Ficoll-Hypaque. The adherent cells were cultured in AIM-V medium containing recombinant human IL-4, TNF-alpha and GM-CSF. On day 9, mature DCs (mDC) were harvested and used for phenotype analysis. The amounts of IL-12 which dendritic cells produced were measured. The dendritic cells that were studied and compared were from cord blood of fetuses of both CHB positive and negative mothers and from CHC adult peripheral blood.
Results:
The expression rate of CD80 and CD83 of chronic hepatitis B mother cord blood dendritic cells was low compared with that of the healthy cord blood, healthy adult peripheral blood, and chronic hepatitis B adult peripheral blood, P < 0.05. The amount of IL-12 produced by chronic hepatitis B mother cord blood dendritic cells was lower than that of healthy cord blood, healthy adult peripheral blood, chronic hepatitis B adult peripheral blood (P < 0.05). The T lymphocyte proliferation inducing ability of dendritic cells of healthy adult peripheral blood was higher in inducing cord blood T lymphocytes proliferation, which was greater than that of the healthy adult peripheral blood in inducing adult T lymphocytes and was greater than that of the healthy cord blood dendritic cells in inducing cord blood T lymphocytes, which was greater than that of the healthy cord blood in inducing adult T lymphocytes, which was greater than that of chronic hepatitis B mothers in inducing cord blood T lymphocytes, which was greater than that of chronic hepatitis B mother cord blood in inducing adult T lymphocytes.
Conclusion:
The maturation and functioning of CHB mother cord blood dendritic cells were lower than those of healthy cord blood, healthy adult peripheral blood and CHB adult peripheral blood.
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Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...

