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Perinatal influences on in vitro B lymphocyte differentiation in human neonates
Insights
Neonatal B cell differentiation into immunoglobulin-secreting cells decreases with increasing gestational age. Perinatal factors like cesarean section and low Apgar scores can influence this immune response in newborns.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neonatal Research
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cord blood mononuclear cells offer a unique model for studying neonatal immune development.
- B lymphocyte differentiation is crucial for adaptive immunity in newborns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro differentiation of B lymphocytes from neonates across a wide range of gestational ages.
- To assess the impact of gestational age and perinatal factors on B cell responsiveness.
Main Methods:
- Studied 126 neonates with gestational ages from 20 to 44 weeks.
- Assessed B cell differentiation into immunoglobulin-secreting cells using a plaque-forming cell assay with pokeweed mitogen and hydrocortisone.
- Compared B cell responsiveness in neonates with and without intrauterine growth retardation.
Main Results:
- All neonates exhibited a measurable plaque-forming cell response.
- A significant reduction in B cell differentiation was observed with increasing gestational age (p < 0.002).
- Intrauterine growth retardation did not affect B cell responsiveness; however, cesarean section and low 1-minute Apgar scores were linked to increased plaque-forming cell counts.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal B cell differentiation capacity diminishes with advancing gestational age.
- Perinatal factors, specifically cesarean delivery and low Apgar scores, may prime cord blood cells for enhanced in vitro immune responses.
Abstract:
In vitro differentiation of B lymphocytes present in cord blood mononuclear cell preparations into immunoglobulin secreting cells was studied in 126 neonates with gestational ages (GA) ranging from 20 to 44 wk. Eight infants had a GA less than 27.9 wk, 24 had GA 28-32.9 wk, 30 had GA 33-37.9 wk, 51 had GA 38-41.9 wk, and 13 had GA above 42 wk. B cell differentiation in response to pokeweed mitogen plus hydrocortisone was assessed using a plaque forming cell assay. All neonates had a measurable plaque-forming cell response in this assay. An increased plaque-forming cell response was observed in some neonates in all gestational age groups. The magnitude of in vitro neonatal B cell differentiation underwent a continuous and significant (p less than 0.002) reduction as gestational age increased. The influence of intrauterine growth retardation on in vitro B lymphocyte differentiation was studied and compared to gestational age-matched controls with a normal intrauterine growth. Intrauterine growth retardation was not associated with changes in B cell responsiveness. An analysis of perinatal factors revealed that cesarean section, and low 1-min Apgar scores were factors that predisposed cord blood cells to be triggered in vitro to produce increased numbers of plaque-forming cells.