title: Naïve T cells, unconventional NK and NKT cells, and highly responsive monocyte-derived macrophages characterize human cord blood.
abstract: This study compares the human immune systems of neonates and adults. Flow cytometric analysis was used to study the cellular phenotypes of cord blood (CB) and adult peripheral blood (APB). Luminex analysis was used to determine the levels of cytokines in cell culture supernatants. Our findings indicate that T cells in CB were mainly naïve and thus less responsive to PMA/ionomycin with the synthesis of cytokines. The percentages of CD3(+)CD4(+)CD25(high) and of CD3(+)CD4(+)CD25(dim) cells expressing chemokine receptors were different between CB and APB. TLR1, TLR6 and TLR9 expressions on NK and NKT cells also differed between CB and APB. CB monocyte-derived macrophages responded better than APB macrophages to TLR ligands with increased secretion of inflammatory cytokines, especially IL-6. The high levels of the inflammatory cytokines in cell culture supernatants of CB were mainly due to higher numbers of responsive macrophages, since dendritic cell numbers were lower in CB than APB.
authors.affiliation: Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, PO Box 0509, Albany, NY 12201-0509, USA. Electronic address: maria.lopez@health.ny.gov.
authors.forename: María C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: López
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver, CO 80262, USA.
authors.forename: Brent E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.affiliation: Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, PO Box 0509, Albany, NY 12201-0509, USA.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Lawrence
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008024:Ligands; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D008024:Ligands; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors
keywords: Cord blood; Cytokines; IL-6; Monocytes; NK cells; Naïve T cells; TLRs