Interleukin-1 augments the diminished interleukin-2 mRNA expression and proliferative response of neonatal T lymphocytes to anti-CD2 antibodies.
Expression of IL-2 mRNA by unstimulated and stimulated purified T cells and mononuclear cells from adult and cord blood was investigated in an attempt to better understand the underlying defective neonatal host immune defense system. Using RNA dot-blot analysis, IL-2 mRNA expression in anti-CD2-stimulated neonatal T cells revealed significantly reduced levels when compared to adult T cells (P < 0.01). Purified neonatal T cells also showed a significantly reduced proliferative response to anti-CD2 antibodies (P < 0.01). Addition of IL-1 beta enhanced the hyporesponsiveness of neonatal T cells at both the level of proliferation and IL-2 mRNA expression. Unseparated mononuclear cells from adult and cord blood revealed similar IL-2 mRNA levels and proliferation when activated by anti-CD2 stimulation. The reduced IL-2 mRNA expression observed in neonatal T cells may explain, in part, the difference in host defense between the newborn and adult during states of increased demand such as infection.
Hassan
J
J
Children's Research Centre, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland.
Reen
D J
DJ
D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology*; D015152:Blotting, Northern / Q000379:methods; D018801:CD2 Antigens; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000276:immunology*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D018801:CD2 Antigens; D007375:Interleukin-1; D007376:Interleukin-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic