title: Maturation of lymphocyte immunophenotypes and memory T helper cell differentiation during development in mice.
abstract: The goal of this study was to systematically investigate the ontogeny of lymphoid populations throughout postnatal development. In CD-1 mice, peak lymphocyte numbers occurred in blood on postnatal day 10 (d10) including those for natural killers (NK1.1), B cells (CD19), T helper (CD3CD4), naïve T helper (CD4CD62LposCD44low), memory T helper (CD4CD62LnegCD44high), and T cytotoxic (CD3CD8) cells. As percent of total lymphocytes, peaks were achieved by d10 for all T helper subtypes but not B cells which declined to a nadir. In spleen, lymphocyte numbers increased exponentially after d10. Proportionately, NK and T cells peaked on d10, declined by d20, and increased 2-3-fold by d45. Naive T cells constituted the majority of lymphocytes during development while memory cells gained to 2.2% (blood) and 12% (spleen) by d20. C57BL/6 mice had similar profiles except that the B cell nadir and T cell subset peaks were at d5. Peripheralization of critical numbers of lymphocytes by d10, and importantly, development of a repertoire of memory cells by d20, may define immune response capabilities that close the period of immaturity for the neonate.
authors: Immunology Center, Department of Pathology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine and Medical Center, CA 92354-2870, USA.
authors: O R
authors: OR
authors: Fagoaga
authors: S M
authors: SM
authors: Yellon
authors: S L
authors: SL
authors: Nehlsen-Cannarella
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D001775:Blood Circulation / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D007156:Immunologic Memory / Q000276:immunology*; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology