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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Development and Functional Characterization of Murine Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells
Published on: May 18, 2018
Neonatal immunity: faulty T-helpers and the shortcomings of dendritic cells
Habib Zaghouani1, Christine M Hoeman, Becky Adkins
1Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO 65212, USA. zaghouanih@missouri.edu
Abstract:
Immunity in the newborn is characterized by minimal T helper (Th)1 function but an excess of Th2 activity. Since Th1 lymphocytes are important to counter microbes and Th2 cells favor allergies, the newborn faces susceptibility to microbial infections and allergic reactions. Delayed maturation of certain dendritic cells leads to limited interleukin (IL)-12 production during the neonatal period. The Th2 cytokine locus of neonatal CD4(+) T cells is poised epigenetically for rapid and robust production of IL-4 and IL-13. Together, these circumstances lead to efficient differentiation of Th2 cells and the expression of an IL-4Ralpha/IL-13Ralpha1 heteroreceptor on Th1 cells. Upon re-challenge, Th2 cells rapidly produce IL-4 which utilizes the heteroreceptor to drive apoptosis of Th1 cells, thus yielding the Th2 bias of neonatal immunity.
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