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Quantitative analysis of T and B cell subsets in healthy and sick premature infants
I M Sériès1, J Pichette, C Carrier
1Centre de recherche en Inflammation, Immunologie et Rheumatologie, C.H.U.L., Sainte-Foy, Qc, Canada.
Insights
Premature infants (PI) show higher T cell numbers, correlating with gestational age. Perinatal distress transiently decreases T cells, but immune markers do not predict infection in these infants.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neonatology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Immune system development in premature infants is crucial.
- Perinatal distress can impact neonatal immune responses.
- Understanding T and B cell subset dynamics is key for assessing infant immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively analyze B and T cell subsets in premature infants (PI) up to six months of age.
- To compare immune parameters between healthy PI, PI with perinatal distress, and term infants.
- To investigate the correlation between immune cell subsets, gestational age, and perinatal distress.
Main Methods:
- Serial quantitative analysis of B and T cell subsets (CD2, CD4, CD20, CD21 positive cells).
- Comparison of 104 PI (36 healthy, 68 with distress) against 21 term infants.
- Analysis of immune parameters in relation to gestational age and perinatal distress events (respiratory distress, asphyxia).
Main Results:
- Healthy PI exhibited higher absolute numbers of T cells (CD2+) and helper T cells (CD4+) compared to term infants, correlating with gestational age.
- Perinatal distress led to a transient decrease in CD2+ and CD4+ cells, especially in infants <28 weeks gestation.
- B cell numbers were not significantly different, and no tested immune parameters predicted infection in PI.
Conclusions:
- Gestational age influences T cell subset numbers in healthy premature infants.
- Perinatal distress temporarily affects T cell populations in very premature infants.
- Immune surveillance markers in early infancy do not reliably predict subsequent infections.
Abstract:
This work proposes a serial quantitative analysis of the numbers and percentages of B and T cell subsets in 104 consecutive premature infants (PI) between birth and six months of age as compared with 21 normal term infants. First, in order to ascertain the effects of perinatal distress at birth (respiratory distress, neonatal asphyxia) on certain parameters of the immune system, the PI were divided into two groups. One comprised 36 healthy preterms, the other, 68 preterms with perinatal distress. It was then shown that healthy PI differed from full-term infants by their higher absolute numbers of T cells (CD2-positive) and helper T cell subset (CD4-positive). These increases in CD2- and CD4-positive cells correlated with gestational age (GA). An increase in B lymphocytes (CD20-positive cells) was also documented but no correlation with GA could be seen. Secondly, perinatal distress was found to be concomitant with transient decrease in percentages and absolute numbers of CD2- and CD4-positive cells, particularly in PI of less than 28 weeks of gestation. The B cells (CD20- and CD21-positive cells) were not different in absolute numbers. Respiratory distress had a more discernable effect than fetal asphyxia on the immune system. Finally, no immunological parameters tested could at any time predict the occurrence of infection in PI during the first 6 months of life.