T lymphocyte maturation is impaired in healthy young individuals carrying trisomy 21 (Down syndrome).
Cytokine production, immune activation, T lymphocytes maturation, and serum IL-7 concentration were examined in 24 youngsters with Down syndrome and no acquired diseases (healthy Down syndrome [12 prepubertal, 13 pubertal]) and 42 age- and gender-matched controls (20 prepubertal, 22 pubertal). Results showed that a complex immune and impairment is present in healthy individuals with Down syndrome in whom interferon gamma, interleukin (IL) IL-10 production, as well as serum IL-7 concentrations and activation markers-bearing T lymphocytes were significantly augmented. Additionally, a complex skewing of post-thymic lymphocyte maturation pathways was observed in patients: significant reduction of CD4+ and CD8+ naive (RA+CCR7+) lymphocytes, significant increase of CD4+ and CD8+ central memory (RA-CCR7+), and terminally differentiated (TD) (RA+CCR7-) lymphocytes.
Guazzarotti
Laura
L
Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy. guazza@yahoo.com
Trabattoni
Daria
D
Castelletti
Eleonora
E
Boldrighini
Benedetta
B
Piacentini
Luca
L
Duca
Piergiorgio
P
Beretta
Silvia
S
Pacei
Michela
M
Caprio
Cristiana
C
Vigan Ago
Alessandra
A
di Natale
Berardo
B
Zuccotti
Gian Vincenzo
GV
Clerici
Mario
M
D000293:Adolescent; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory / Q000276:immunology; D015851:Interleukin-7 / Q000097:blood; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
D016207:Cytokines; D015851:Interleukin-7