title: Phenotypic immaturity of T and B lymphocytes in cord blood of full-term normal neonates. Analysis of cell surface markers by using conventional techniques and monoclonal antibodies.
abstract: We examined mononuclear cell subsets in cord blood of normal newborns by surface marker analysis. The percentages of T lymphocytes (E-rosetting and T3+ cells) were lower in cord blood than in peripheral blood (PB) from adults, while the percentage and absolute number of T6+ cells were higher in cord blood. As the sum of T4+ and T8+ cells exceeded the values of E-rosetting lymphocytes in cord blood, we suggest that immature lymphocytes with the phenotype of 'common' thymocytes (T6+, T4+, T8+) are present in cord blood of full-term newborns. Higher percentage and absolute number of B lymphocytes were detected in cord blood. More than 50% of B cells in cord blood formed rosettes with mouse erythrocytes, a surface marker of functional immaturity. Finally, cells bearing receptors for IgG-Fc fragments or C3 and expressing Ia-like and M1 antigens were uniformly increased in cord blood, suggesting higher percentages of cells of the monocytic lineage.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D010641:Phenotype; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000032:analysis; D012397:Rosette Formation
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D011961:Receptors, Fc