title: Neonatal dexamethasone treatment induces long-lasting changes in T-cell receptor vbeta repertoire in rats.
abstract: Glucocorticoids are frequently administered for the prevention of chronic lung disease in infants with respiratory distress syndrome. However, neonatal treatment may have consequences for immune functioning in the long-term. Here we demonstrate that neonatal glucocorticoid treatment has long-lasting effects on mRNA expression of several Vbeta genes within the CD4 and CD8 T cell subset in rats. Changes in the peripheral T cell Vbeta repertoire may be a consequence of altered intrathymic selection events in which corticosterone plays an important role. Indeed, here we show that neonatal glucocorticoid treatment affects corticosterone production by thymic epithelial cells during neonatal life. In conclusion, changes in T cell Vbeta repertoire after neonatal glucocorticoid treatment may contribute to altered immune reactivity in later life.
authors: Department of Pediatric Immunology, KC 03.068.0, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital of the University Medical Center Utrecht, Lundlaan 6, 3584 EA, Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.m.baker-2@wkz.azu.nl
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Bakker
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Kavelaars
authors: P J
authors: PJ
authors: Kamphuis
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Zijlstra
authors: F
authors: F
authors: van Bel
authors: C J
authors: CJ
authors: Heijnen
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D011247:Pregnancy; D011284:Pregnenolone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000235:genetics*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D011284:Pregnenolone; D003907:Dexamethasone