6533b7defe1ef96bd127692c
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Small for gestational age (SGA) neonates show reduced suppressive activity of their regulatory T cells
Karsten MahnkeGertrud Maria HaenschMartina EngstEdgar SchmittStefan MeuerChristof SohnAndrea Steinbornsubject
medicine.medical_specialtyImmunologychemical and pharmacologic phenomenaCell SeparationT-Lymphocytes RegulatoryFetusObstetric Labor PrematurePregnancyT-Lymphocyte SubsetsInternal medicinemedicineHumansImmunology and AllergyPregnancyFetusbusiness.industryInfant NewbornGestational ageForkhead Transcription Factorshemic and immune systemsInfant Low Birth WeightFlow Cytometrymedicine.diseaseLow birth weightTolerance inductionEndocrinologyFetal circulationGestationSmall for gestational ageFemalemedicine.symptombusinessdescription
Little information exists concerning the role of fetal regulatory T cells (Tregs) during intrauterine development. We examined whether complications such as reduced birth weight or the occurrence of preterm labor were associated with deficiencies in the number or in the immunosuppressive activity of Tregs in the fetal circulation. Their total number did not change during normal or complicated pregnancy. In contrast, their level of FoxP3 expression decreased continuously with gestational age and was significantly reduced in the presence of spontaneous term, but not preterm labor. In small for gestational age (SGA) neonates, FoxP3 expression was constantly decreased when compared to age matched healthy neonates. In accordance with the low FoxP3 expression, the suppressive activity of the Tregs from spontaneously term delivered and from SGA babies was significantly reduced. We propose that the level of FoxP3 expression in the fetal Tregs may be a potential regulator of their suppressive activity.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-04-09 | Clinical Immunology |