Lymphocyte subpopulations in the neonate: identification of an immature subset of OKT8-positive, OKT3-negative cells.
T cell subpopulations of lymphocytes from cord blood (CBL) of 24 newborns and from peripheral blood (a-PBL) of 24 healthy adult volunteers were assessed in T cell-enriched, T cell depleted and unseparated lymphocyte fractions by using OKT3, 4, 6, and 8 monoclonal antibodies. The results show that T cell-enriched CBL include adult numbers of OKT3+, OKT4+, OKT6+ and OKT8+ lymphocytes whereas the T cell-depleted fraction consists of a high percentage of OKT8+, OKT3-, non-E rosette-forming cells bearing a PNA receptor. The presence of the PNA receptor and the lack of the OKT3+ antigen strongly support the hypothesis that the subset of OKT8+ cells in cord blood includes immature T lymphocytes that may represent an intermediate stage between thymocytes and mature peripheral T cells.
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D037102:Lectins / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D019887:Peanut Agglutinin; D010641:Phenotype; D012397:Rosette Formation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D037102:Lectins; D019887:Peanut Agglutinin