Original Paper

Differential Development of Type 1 and Type 2 Cytokines and -Chemokines in the Ontogeny of Healthy Newborns
Alessandra Vigano^a, Susanna Esposito^a, Donatella Arienti^b, Arianna Zagliani^b, Emilia Massironi^a, Nicola Principi^a, Mario Clerici<sup>b

a</sup>Cattedra di Pediatria IV, Università degli Studi di Milano, Ospedale Luigi Sacco, and
^bCattedra di Immunologia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Padiglione LITA, Ospedale Luigi Sacco, Milano, Italy

Address of Corresponding Author

Biol Neonate 1999;75:1-8 (DOI: 10.1159/000014071)

  Key Words

• Cytokines
• -Chemokines
• Newborn
• Infant
• Ontogeny
• Immunity

  Abstract

Interleukin (IL)-2, interferon gamma (IFN-; type 1 cytokines), IL-4, and IL-10 (type 2 cytokines), and -chemokines (MIP-1 and RANTES) production by cord blood lymphocytes (CBL) and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of newborns was analyzed in a cross-sectional study to examine the maturation of these components of the immune response. Immunophenotyping was performed on the same specimens. Results showed that the CD4/CD8 ratio remains stable, the percentage of natural killer cells decreases, and the number and percentage of B cells increase after birth. Analysis of cytokine production suggested that the production of all cytokines increases gradually and steadily after birth, and that IFN- and IL-10 production is reduced at birth whereas IL-2 and IL-4 production is not. Finally, mitogen-stimulated -chemokine production was present at birth and increased slightly but significantly with age. These data indicate that a differential functional maturation of immune response after birth favoring a more precocious development of IL-2 (a type 1 cytokine) is present and should help to analyze the ontogeny of the immune system.

  Author Contacts

Mario Clerici, MD
Cattedra di Immunologia, Università degli Studi di Milano
Via Venezian 1, I-20133 Milano (Italy)
Tel. +39 2 3821 0354, Fax +39 2 3821 0350
E-Mail mago@imiucca.csi.unimi.it

  Article Information

Number of Print Pages : 8
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 39