title: T-cell polarization: Potential serological markers in preterm and term infants.
abstract: The immaturity of immune system characterizes newborn infants. Possible serological markers of Th1 and Th2 immune response are the lymphocyte activation gene-3 (CD223) and soluble CD30, respectively (sCD30).
  
  
  
  The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between Th1 and Th2 immune response and gestational age (GA), comparing data in preterm and term neonates.
  
  
  
  Cord blood from 20 preterm (GA: 33±2weeks, BW 1950±490g) and 20 term infants (GA: 38±1weeks, BW: 3177±330g) were tested for sCD30 and CD223 levels by ELISA. IFNγ levels produced by cord blood lymphocytes were also analyzed, both before and after stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA).
  
  
  
  sCD30 resulted significantly higher in preterm neonates when compared with term neonates (60±7.6 vs 42.6±3.9U/ml p<0.05). CD223 was undetectable in preterm neonates while resulting at a level of 176.1±112.6ng/ml in term neonates. After stimulation with PHA, a significant increase in IFNγ levels was only observed in term neonates (326.6±72.7pg/ml p<0.05).
  
  
  
  Our findings show that sCD30 is present and measurable in term and preterm infants, while CD223 is detectable only in term infants and that Th-cell polarization could also depend on gestational age. Our data suggest that a Th2 immune response seems predominant in preterm neonates.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Simonetta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Frezza
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gallini
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediate Disease, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Palazzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediate Disease, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carollo
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Pia
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: De Carolis
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Vito
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: D'Andrea
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: piero.catenazzi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Catenazzi
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Costantino
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Romagnoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediate Disease, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Clara Maria
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ausiello
mesh_terms: D001457:Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001457:Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte; D015415:Biomarkers; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen; D007371:Interferon-gamma
keywords: CD223; LAG-3; Newborn infants; T-cell polarization; sCD30