title: T cell immune function in newborn infants.
abstract: T cell immune function in 20 newborn infants was investigated. Previous studies showing increased spontaneous transformation and higher 3H-thymidine incorporation at lower PHA concentration in newborn infants were confirmed. A net increase in the number of active E rosette-forming lymphocytes and a slight decrease in the percentage of total E rosette-forming cells was also found. Our results suggest the presence of a subpopulation of activated T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of newborns during the first days of life. Possible mechanisms of this activation are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D012397:Rosette Formation; D012756:Sheep; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004247:DNA