CD26 and CD31 surface antigen expression on human colostral T cells.
The expression levels of CD26 and CD31 surface antigens, two adhesion/activation molecules with helper and suppressor activities, respectively, were found to be significantly higher on human colostral T cells (CD3+) than in autologous peripheral blood samples. These findings provide further phenotypical evidence that immune system T lymphocytes are compartmentalized in the mammary gland late in pregnancy and during lactation. The question of whether these overexpanded T lymphocyte populations in breast milk modulate in situ, either by enhancing or suppressing, the cellular and/or humoral immune response of the suckling infant remains to be answered. Additional studies are, therefore, needed to explore this intriguing field concerning the immunology of the colostrum.
Bertotto
A
A
Department of Paediatrics, Perugia University School of Medicine, Italy.
Spinozzi
F
F
Gerli
R
R
Castellucci
G
G
Bassotti
G
G
Crupi
S
S
Fabietti
G M
GM
Vagliasindi
C
C
Forenza
N
N
Pazzelli
P
P
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000032:analysis*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis*; D003126:Colostrum / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D018819:Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018819:Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4