Phenotypic dissection of cord blood immunoregulatory T-cell subsets by using a two-color immunofluorescence study.
Expression of TQ1(Leu8) and 2H4 antigens on human cord blood T-cell subsets was evaluated by a double immunofluorescence analysis. In normal adult blood all of the helper function for B-cell differentiation is confined to the smaller OKT4+TQ1-(Leu8-) cell subset, while the OKT4+TQ1+(Leu8+) cell subpopulation includes a subset of suppressor inducer 2H4+(JRA+) cells. Our results indicated that the OKT4+TQ1-(Leu8-) cell subpopulation was decreased and the reciprocal OKT4+TQ1+(Leu8+) cell subset was markedly increased in cord blood E-rosetting OKT3+ cell population. A rise in the number of cord OKT4+2H4+ cells was also found. In addition, TQ1 antigen was present on OKT3+E-, a less mature, cord T-cell subset, not present in adult blood. These findings may not only be of help in understanding lymphoid cell development during ontogeny, but also may agree with the reported strong-suppressor and weak-helper activities exerted by the T-cell subsets circulating in human cord blood.
D000328:Adult; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010641:Phenotype; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification*
D000954:Antigens, Surface