Characterization of T-cell population in children with prolonged fetal exposure to dexamethasone for anti-Ro/SS-A antibodies associated congenital heart block.
The objectives of the study were to characterize the production, function and survival of T lymphocytes of children with prolonged fetal exposure to dexamethasone for anti-Ro/SS-A antibodies associated congenital complete heart block. The analysis of thymic function, studied by measuring the level of T-cell receptor excision circles, was performed by real time PCR, the composition of T-cell subpopulation was evaluated by flow cytometry and the T-cell diversity was assayed by heteroduplex analysis. T-cell competence was gauged at two functional levels by determining the proliferation and the number of T-cell divisions and by measuring gamma-interferon production after mitogenic stimulation. We observed that the thymic output, distribution of T-cell subsets, thymidine incorporation, number of T-cell divisions, and y-interferon production were comparable to those of age-matched control. On the contrary, heteroduplex analysis demonstrated the presence of both polyclonal and oligoclonal peripheral T-cell repertoires. In conclusion, the analysis of the T-cell compartment in children with prolonged intrauterine exposure to high dose dexamethasone did not disclose any relevant abnormality, except a restriction of T-cell receptor diversity in some patients.
Airo'
P
P
Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy. airo@bresciareumatologia.it
Scarsi
M
M
Brucato
A
A
Benicchi
T
T
Malacarne
F
F
Cavazzana
I
I
Danieli
E
E
LiDestri
M
M
Motta
M
M
Caimi
L
L
Tincani
A
A
Imberti
L
L
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002451:Cell Compartmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006327:Heart Block / Q000151:congenital / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D020180:Heteroduplex Analysis; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000099207:SS-A Antigen
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D015703:Antigens, CD; D001324:Autoantigens; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D008934:Mitogens; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins; C116006:RO60 protein, human; D000099207:SS-A Antigen