title: Functional analysis and gene expression profile of umbilical cord blood regulatory T cells.
abstract: The aim of the study was to analyze and compare the functional properties and the gene expression profile of regulatory T cells (Tregs) isolated from cord blood (CB) units (n = 23) and from the peripheral blood (PB) of adult normal donors (n = 13). Tregs were purified from mononuclear cells and expanded for 6 days with anti-CD3, anti-CD28, and IL-2. CB and PB Tregs presented similar immunophenotypic features. However, Tregs isolated from CB presented a much higher expansion capacity; this was confirmed by the genomic characterization that showed in CB-derived Tregs significant enrichments of genes involved in cell proliferation, chromatin modification, and regulation of gene expression. All samples were positive for the FoxP3 gene and protein after expansion. CB and PB expanded Tregs exerted a comparable and potent suppressive function on the proliferative reaction of autologous T cells stimulated by allogeneic dendritic cells and presented a high in vitro IL-10 production capacity. Gene profile analysis also revealed for PB Tregs significant enrichments of genes involved in the adaptive immune response. These data offer further insights into the understanding of the biology of CB transplantation indicating a possible role played by CB Tregs in the suppression of the allogeneic T cell response.
authors: Division of Hematology, Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Benevento 6, 00161, Rome, Italy. torelli@bce.uniroma1.it
authors: Giovanni Fernando
authors: GF
authors: Torelli
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: Maggio
authors: Nadia
authors: N
authors: Peragine
authors: Sabina
authors: S
authors: Chiaretti
authors: Maria Stefania
authors: MS
authors: De Propris
authors: Barbarella
authors: B
authors: Lucarelli
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Screnci
authors: Maria Grazia
authors: MG
authors: Mascolo
authors: Filippo
authors: F
authors: Milano
authors: Anna Paola
authors: AP
authors: Iori
authors: Gabriella
authors: G
authors: Girelli
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Guarini
authors: Robin
authors: R
authors: Foà
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000276:immunology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D046228:Microarray Analysis; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D016207:Cytokines; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D016753:Interleukin-10