Abstract
Background: Data on the developmental maturation of the neonatal immune system remains sparse. This study compared the immune response of cord blood (CB) to that of healthy children and adults in response to mitogens, Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and Concanavalin-A (Con-A).
Methods: De-identified CB samples were obtained from healthy women > 36 weeks gestation. Blood was obtained from children attending routine healthcare visits and healthy adults. The Cylex® assay was used to measure ATP production by CD4+ and CD3+ cells in response to PHA and Con-A, respectively.
Results: Samples from 17 CB, 16 children and 14 adults were evaluated. After PHA stimulation, ATP production by CB was significantly higher (median 863 ng/mL, 95% CI 735.3–978.6) than children (median 370 ng/mL, 95% CI 225.1–603.1; p< 0.001) and adults (median 522 ng/mL, 95% CI 431.3–609.8; p< 0.001). Similarly, CB showed increased ATP production following Con-A stimulation (median 662 ng/mL, 95% CI 506.4–944.1) compared to children (median 93.4 ng/mL, 95% CI 31.8–163.9; p< 0.001) and adults (median 290 ng/mL, 95% CI 231.8–406.6; p < 0.001).
Conclusions: This pilot study shows that CB lymphocytes have a robust in vitro response to mitogen stimulation. Further studies to validate these findings and elucidate their significance in neonatal immune function are warranted.