Different antigens trigger different Th1/Th2 reactions in neonatal mononuclear cells (MNCs) relating to T-bet/GATA-3 expression.
Neonates are known to have poor cellular immunity, especially poor Th1 response. We investigated how neonatal mononuclear cells raised different Th1/Th2 reactions in response to different antigens. Employing Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) extract and varicella zoster virus (VZV) as antigens, we assessed Th1/Th2 reactions as demonstrated by IL-4/IFNgamma production and mRNA expression, and transcriptional factors T-bet/GATA-3 mRNA expression in mononuclear cells from human umbilical cord blood (CBMC). Results showed that VZV induced a dramatic increase of IFNgamma production by adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), whereas VZV did not drive CBMC to release significant IFNgamma production (1614.7+/-362.0 vs. 49.0+/-29.3,p<0.005). However, Der p induced higher IFNgamma production by CBMC than VZV (298.1+/-171.8 vs. 49.0+/-29.3, P=0.047). In contrast, VZV did not induce significant IL-4 production either by CBMC or by PBMC. Der p induced a comparative IL-4 production by CBMC and PBMC (2.58+/-0.84 vs. 2.04+/-0.37, p>0.05). A real-time RT-PCR analysis of IL-4 and IFNgamma mRNA expression showed that VZV induced a significantly higher IFNgamma, but not IL-4, mRNA expression in PBMC than CBMC. Der p did not induce significant difference of IFNgamma or IL-4 mRNA expression in PBMC and CBMC. VZV enhanced Th1-related transcription factor T-bet mRNA expression, in association with later down-regulation of Th2-related GATA-3 mRNA expression in PBMC. However, VZV did not up-regulate T-bet or down-regulate GATA-3 expression significantly in CBMC. In contrast, Der p induced an early GATA-3 expression and later T-bet expression in CBMC. These results suggest that different antigens trigger various Th1/Th2 reactions in PBMC and CBMC resulting from kinetic changes of T-bet/GATA-3 expression.
Yu
Hong-Ren
HR
Division of Clinical Immunology & Allergy, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC.
Chang
Jen-Chieh
JC
Chen
Rong-Fu
RF
Chuang
Hau
H
Hong
Kuo-Ching
KC
Wang
Lin
L
Yang
Kuender D
KD
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000494:pharmacology; D040002:Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus / Q000276:immunology; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology; D050990:GATA3 Transcription Factor; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology*; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000097:blood*; D016335:Zinc Fingers; D000098815:T-bet Transcription Factor
D000941:Antigens; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D050990:GATA3 Transcription Factor; C494749:GATA3 protein, human; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins; D000098815:T-bet Transcription Factor; D014157:Transcription Factors