Relative and Absolute Regulatory T Cells in Preterm Neonates with Necrotizing Enterocolitis

The objective of this study was to compare the concentrations of relative and absolute regulatory T cells (Tregs) in preterm neonates diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) with those in the control group. The study consisted of 60 preterm neonates, 30 with NEC and 30 without NEC. Blood samples were obtained and processed for the enumeration of Treg cells by multiparameter flow cytometry with markers such as CD4, CD25, and FOXP3, and the activation markers CD45RA, CD45RO, HLA-DR, and CTLA-4. There were no significant differences in gestational age, body weight, Apgar score, delivery mode, or incidence of maternal infection between the NEC group and the control group. The relative Treg percentage (% of CD4+ T cells) in the NEC group was 7.5 ± 1.2%, which was significantly lower than that in the control group (9.8 ± 1.5%). Compared with that in the control group, the absolute Treg count in the NEC group showed the same trend, and the total CD4+ T-cell count decreased significantly. The percentage of naive Tregs (% of Tregs) was significantly higher, whereas those of memory Tregs (% of Tregs), Ki-67+ (% of Tregs), and CD39+ (% of Tregs) cells were significantly lower. Tregs may be activated more as the severity of NEC increases, and the elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-10 in NEC may reflect attempts at an effective anti-inflammatory response to the proinflammatory effects of IL-6 and TNF-ɑ. Treg pathways may hold promise for NEC prognosis, although additional samples should be evaluated to validate these results.   Keywords: ; ; ; ;