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Refined characterization and reference values of the pediatric T- and B-cell compartments
R van Gent1, C M van Tilburg, E E Nibbelke
1Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Lundlaan 6, PO Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Insights
This study establishes pediatric reference values for T- and B-cell subsets in healthy children aged 0-18 years. It details the development of naive T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs), and the presence of memory B cells at birth.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Established T- and B-cell subsets change significantly during childhood.
- Redefined pediatric reference values are needed for these lymphocyte compartments.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for diagnosing immunological disorders in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the relative and absolute numbers of various T- and B-cell subsets in healthy children.
- To investigate the development of naive T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs) during childhood.
- To characterize memory B-cell populations from birth.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of T- and B-cell subsets in 145 healthy children aged 0-18 years.
- Flow cytometry to identify distinct lymphocyte populations.
- Assessment of naive T-cell proliferation and regulatory T-cell phenotypes.
Main Results:
- Naive T-cell compartment establishment is influenced by thymic output and T-cell proliferation.
- Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are predominantly naive at birth, accumulating memory phenotypes during childhood.
- Memory B-cell populations (CD27(-)IgG(+) and CD27(-)IgA(+)) are present at birth, alongside the CD27(+)IgM(+)IgD(+) population.
Conclusions:
- Provides essential reference values for T- and B-cell compartments in children.
- Offers insights into the developmental dynamics of immune cells during childhood.
- Supports research on pediatric immunological disorders and immune reconstitution.
Abstract:
Work in the past years has led to a refined phenotypical description of functionally distinct T- and B-cell subsets. Since both lymphocyte compartments are established and undergo dramatic changes during childhood, redefined pediatric reference values of both compartments are needed. In a cohort of 145 healthy children, aged 0-18 years, the relative and absolute numbers of the various T- and B-cell subsets were determined. In addition, we found that besides thymic output, naive (CD27(+)CD45RO(-)) T-cell proliferation contributed significantly to the establishment of the naive T-cell compartment. At birth, regulatory (CD25(+)CD127(-)CD4(+)) T cells (Tregs) mainly had a naive (CD27(+)CD45RO(-)) phenotype whereas 'memory or effector-like' (CD45RO(+)) Tregs accumulated slowly during childhood. Besides the CD27(+)IgM(+)IgD(+) memory B-cell population, the recently identified CD27(-)IgG(+) and CD27(-)IgA(+) memory B-cell populations were already present at birth. These data provide reference values of the T- and B-cell compartments during childhood for studies of immunological disorders or immune reconstitution in children.
