Intrauterine growth restriction and prematurity influence regulatory T cell development in newborns.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of birth weight and gestational age with regulatory T cells (Tregs) in cord blood of human newborns.


METHODS
Cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) of 210 newborns were analyzed using flow cytometry to identify Tregs (CD3(+), CD4(+), CD25(high), FoxP3(high)) and measure FoxP3 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI). Suppressive index (SI) was calculated as FoxP3 MFI per Treg.


RESULTS
Mode of delivery had no significant effect on Tregs at birth. Term babies with growth restriction had fewer Tregs than their appropriate weight counterparts but equivalent SI. Preterm babies had higher percentages of Tregs, but lower SI than term controls. SI steadily increased through gestation.


CONCLUSIONS
Intrauterine growth restriction is correlated with fewer circulating Tregs and prematurity with decreased functionality of Tregs compared to term appropriate weight infants. This may have implications in diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis that disproportionately affect premature and lower birth weight infants.
Texas A&M University, Scott & White Memorial Hospital, Temple, TX, United States.
Dhriti
D
Mukhopadhyay
Texas A&M University, Scott & White Memorial Hospital, Temple, TX, United States.
Laura
L
Weaver
Texas A&M University, Scott & White Memorial Hospital, Temple, TX, United States.
Richard
R
Tobin
Texas A&M University, Scott & White Memorial Hospital, Temple, TX, United States.
Stephanie
S
Henderson
Texas A&M University, Scott & White Memorial Hospital, Temple, TX, United States.
Madhava
M
Beeram
Texas A&M University, Scott & White Memorial Hospital, Temple, TX, United States.
M Karen
MK
Newell-Rogers
Texas A&M University, Scott & White Memorial Hospital, Temple, TX, United States. Electronic address: lperger@gmail.com.
Lena
L
Perger
D001724:Birth Weight; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000097:blood; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000097:blood; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology*; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000276:immunology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000097:blood; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000276:immunology*; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000378:metabolism*
D017252:CD3 Complex; D015704:CD4 Antigens; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit
Cord blood; Intrauterine growth restriction; Newborns; Prematurity; Regulatory T cells