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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Isolation of Precursor B-cell Subsets from Umbilical Cord Blood
Published on: April 16, 2013
[Flow cytometric analysis of cord blood lymphocytes]
M Pietruczuk1, A Wasiluk, S Jaworski
1Zakładu Diagnostyki Hematologicznej, Instytut Diagnostyki Laboratoryjnej Akademii Medycznej w Białymstoku.
Insights
Neonatal leukocytes show altered immune cell populations, with increased T and B cells but decreased CD57 cells. This may explain both increased infection risk and good health in newborns.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neonatal immunology
- Flow cytometry
Background:
- Neonatal leukocytes exhibit diminished immunological reactivity, potentially due to lymphocyte immaturity.
- Understanding the neonatal immune system is crucial for assessing infection risk in newborns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the phenotype of cord blood lymphocytes in neonates.
- To identify specific lymphocyte subpopulations that are altered in newborns compared to adults.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze cord blood lymphocyte phenotypes.
- Absolute counts and ratios of various lymphocyte markers (CD1a, CD7, CD2, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD19, CD20, CD57) were determined.
Main Results:
- Increased absolute numbers of CD1a, CD7, CD2, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD19, and CD20 positive lymphocytes were observed in neonates.
- A significant decrease in CD57 positive cells was noted in neonates.
- The CD4/CD8 and T/B lymphocyte ratios in neonates were comparable to adult levels.
Conclusions:
- Neonates possess an immature lymphocyte population and a quantitative depletion of CD57 cells, potentially increasing infection susceptibility.
- The increased numbers of mature T and B lymphocytes, normal subpopulation ratios, and elevated NK cells (CD16+) may contribute to the generally good health observed in newborns.
Abstract:
It has been observed that immunological reactivity of neonatal leukocytes is diminished. It seems to result from lymphocytes immaturity. In the present study we have evaluated the phenotype of cord blood lymphocytes with the use of flow cytometry. In neonates we have observed the increase in the absolute number of CD1a and CD7 positive lymphocytes as well as CD2, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD19 and CD20 positive, while number of CD57 positive cells was significantly decreased. The ratios of CD4/CD8 and T/B lymphocytes were similar to the corresponding ratios observed in adults. Our results have shown the presence of immature lymphocyte population as well quantitative depletion of subpopulation of CD57 cells, what may pose an increased risk of infection in neonates. Nevertheless, increased number of T and B lymphocytes with mature phenotype along with normal ratio of lymphocyte subpopulations and increased number of CD16 positive cells (NK cells), may explain phenomenon of good health among majority of newborns.
