[Expression of Foxp3 in CD4+CD25high Treg cells of neonatal cord blood].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the amount of CD4+CD25high Treg cells and the expression of Foxp3 in neonatal cord blood, and to analyze the expression of Treg cells in neonates.


METHODS
The mononuclear cells from cord blood or peripheral blood were isolated from neonatal cord blood (n=15) or healthy adult's peripheral blood (n=12) by density gradient centrifugation. Then they were stained with fluorescence labeled monoclonal antibodies for cell surface and intracellular protein. The amount of CD4+CD25high Treg cells and intercellular transcription factor Foxp3 were measured by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
The amount of CD4+CD25high Treg cells in CD3+CD4+ T cells in cord blood was significantly higher than that in adult's peripheral blood (3.86%+/-1.63% vs 0.87%+/-0.74%, P<0.01), whereas the expression of Foxp3 in CD4+CD25high Treg cells in cord blood was markedly lower than in adult's blood (23.21%+/-8.9% vs 71.3%+/-11.6%, P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The low expression of Foxp3 in CD4+CD25high Treg cells in cord blood suggests Treg cells in neonates are not mature in suppression.
Tang
Jie
J
Department of Immunology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China. bbmctj2002@yahoo.com.cn
Li
Bai-qing
BQ
Ruan
Jie
J
Zhang
Lin-jie
LJ
D000328:Adult; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
D017252:CD3 Complex; D015704:CD4 Antigens; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit