The expressions of co-stimulatory molecules are altered on putative antigen-presenting cells in cord blood.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to estimate the expressions of both B7-H1 and B7-H4 as well as CD200 and CD200R co-stimulatory molecules on immature myeloid and lymphoid dendritic cells, B CD19(+)  lymphocytes and monocytes in umbilical cord blood of healthy neonates and in peripheral blood of healthy adults.


METHODS
Thirty-nine healthy full-term neonates from physiological single pregnancies and 27 healthy adults were included in the study. The expressions of B7-H1, B7-H4, CD200, CD200R antigens were estimated using flow cytometry. Statistical analysis was performed using a non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test and parametric Wilcoxon's test.


RESULTS
The expressions of B7-H1 and B7-H4 molecules on immature BDCA-1(+)  myeloid dendritic cells were significantly lower in umbilical cord blood of healthy neonates when compared with those cells in peripheral blood of healthy adults (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the suppression of B7-H4 molecule on BDCA-2(+)  lymphoid dendritic cells was observed in cord blood of healthy neonates when compared with peripheral blood of healthy adults (P < 0.02). The expressions of CD200 antigen on BDCA-1(+)  cells, CD200R antigen on BDCA-2(+)  cells and CD200R antigen on B CD19(+)  cells were significantly lower in cord blood of healthy neonates. On the other hand, the expressions of CD200 and CD200R as well as B7-H4 co-stimulatory molecules on CD14(+)  cells were significantly higher in cord blood when compared with peripheral blood.


CONCLUSIONS
The increased percentages of CD14(+)  monocytes with the expressions of CD200 and CD200R as well as B7-H4 co-stimulatory molecules can suggest the increased immunomodulatory properties of neonatal monocytes in cord blood.
Department of Obstetrics and Perinatology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland. dorotak@mp.pl
Dorota
D
Darmochwal-Kolarz
Andrzej
A
Serafin
Jacek
J
Tabarkiewicz
Bogdan
B
Kolarz
Jacek
J
Rolinski
Jan
J
Oleszczuk
D000328:Adult; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D060890:B7-H1 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D064446:Orexin Receptors; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D060907:V-Set Domain-Containing T-Cell Activation Inhibitor 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D060890:B7-H1 Antigen; C477337:CD200R1 protein, human; C423236:CD274 protein, human; D064446:Orexin Receptors; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D060907:V-Set Domain-Containing T-Cell Activation Inhibitor 1; C475826:VTCN1 protein, human; C042739:antigens, CD200