title: Elevated interleukin-2 production by cord blood mononuclear cells from premature newborns.
abstract: This study was undertaken to delineate the elements of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) system in premature newborns by quantitating IL-2 production and IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression and density in cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) from 19 premature (estimated gestational age = 27-36 weeks, mean = 33.7), but otherwise healthy, infants and 25 term newborns. Phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced IL-2 production by premature CBMC was significantly greater (p less than 0.05) than that produced by term newborn CBMC with a mean value of 52.0 mu/ml for prematures versus 18.2 mu/ml for terms. The mean percentage of CBMC expressing PHA-induced cell-surface IL-2R was 23.4 and 23.0% while the IL-2R density per cell was 4.72 x 10(4) and 6.93 x 10(4) for premature and term newborns, respectively. PHA-induced proliferation was similar in both groups. These results show a significantly increased PHA-induced IL-2 production, but similar IL-2R expression, in CBMC from premature as compared to term newborns, demonstrating that the preterm newborn possesses a competent IL-2 system at birth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Doernbecher Memorial Hospital for Children, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Parkman-Newton
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Borzy
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Bakke
mesh_terms: D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2