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Changes in Systemic Regulatory T Cells, Effector T Cells, and Monocyte Populations Associated With Early-Life
Zo Andriamanantena1, Fanirisoa Randrianarisaona1, Maheninasy Rakotondrainipiana2
1Immunology of Infectious Diseases Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar.
Insights
Childhood stunting impacts systemic immune cells, affecting both innate and adaptive immunity. Stunted children show altered monocyte and T cell populations, with age-specific changes in regulatory T cells, highlighting immune dysregulation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Childhood stunting and environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) are linked to altered immune responses.
- The specific effects of stunting on systemic immune cell populations in early life are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of stunting on circulating immune cell populations and their activation status in young children.
- To characterize age-specific immune changes associated with stunting.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze major systemic immune cell populations in stunted and non-stunted children aged 2-5 years.
- Key immune cell subsets, including monocytes, T helper cells, and regulatory T cells, were quantified and their activation markers assessed.
Main Results:
- Stunted children aged 2-3 years exhibited a lower proportion of classical monocytes compared to controls.
- Reduced HLA-DR expression (a marker of activation) was observed on memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in stunted children.
- Age-specific differences in regulatory T cells (Treg) were noted: stunted 2-3 year olds had more memory Tregs but fewer naive Tregs.
Conclusions:
- Stunting affects both innate and adaptive systemic immune cell percentages and activation status in a manner that is related to age.
- These findings provide crucial insights into the immunological consequences of stunting in early childhood.
Abstract:
Stunting and environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) may be responsible for altered gut and systemic immune responses. However, their impact on circulating immune cell populations remains poorly characterized during early life. A detailed flow cytometry analysis of major systemic immune cell populations in 53 stunted and 52 non-stunted (2 to 5 years old) children living in Antananarivo (Madagascar) was performed. Compared to age-matched non-stunted controls, stunted children aged 2-3 years old had a significantly lower relative proportion of classical monocytes. No significant associations were found between stunting and the percentages of effector T helper cell populations (Th1, Th2, Th17, Th1Th17, and cTfh). However, we found that HLA-DR expression (MFI) on all memory CD4+ or CD8+ T cell subsets was significantly lower in stunted children compared to non-stunted controls. Interestingly, in stunted children compared to the same age-matched non-stunted controls, we observed statistically significant age-specific differences in regulatory T cells (Treg) subsets. Indeed, in 2- to 3-year-old stunted children, a significantly higher percentage of memory Treg, whilst a significantly lower percentage of naive Treg, was found. Our results revealed that both innate and adaptive systemic cell percentages, as well as activation status, were impacted in an age-related manner during stunting. Our study provides valuable insights into the understanding of systemic immune system changes in stunted children.
