Reference values for peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets of healthy children in China

Abstract

Reference values for peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets of healthy children in China To the Editor: Immunophenotyping of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets can provide important information for the diagnosis and treatment of immunological and hematological disorders. Lymphocyte compartments undergo dramatic changes during childhood; age-matched reference values derived from healthy individuals are crucial and have been evaluated in various ethnic populations. 1-5 However, extensively detailed immunophenotyping reference values of peripheral blood lymphocytes in whole spectrum of childhood are rare. Our aim was to determine the relative and absolute numbers of lymphocyte subpopulations in healthy Chinese children from birth to age 18 years. We recruited 1075 Chinese children (604 males and 471 females) who were grouped into 7 categories according to age: group 1, 0 to 28 days; group 2, 1 to 6 months; group 3, 6 to 12 months; group 4, 1 to 4 years; group 5, 4 to 8 years; group 6, 8 to 12 years; and group 7, 12 to 18 years. Whole blood was used and staining for lymphocyte surface markers was performed after red cell lysis, according to a standard flow cytometric multicolor protocol. A total of 20 subpopulations were examined: T cells (CD45 1 SSC low CD3 1), CD4 T cells (CD45 1 SSC low CD3 1 CD4 1), CD8 T cells (CD45 1 SSC low CD3 1 CD8 1), B cells (CD45 1 SSC low CD19 1), natural killer cells (CD45 1 SSC low CD3 2 CD56 1 /CD16 1), TCRab 1 double-negative T (DNT) cells TABLE I. Distribution of the percentage of total T and B cells and their subsets by age and sex in the peripheral blood of 1075 healthy children (%) Subset Sex Group 1 0-28 d (n 5 21) Group 2 1-6 mo (n 5 104) Group 3 6-12 mo (n 5 97) Group 4 1-4 y (n 5 289) Group 5 4-8 y (n 5 271) Group 6 8-12 y (n 5 158) Group 7 12-18 y (n 5 135)

Circulating β cell-specific CD8+ T cells restricted by high-risk HLA class I molecules show antigen experience in children with and at risk of type 1 diabetes

“…In longitudinal samples from HLA-A*2402 + children with high-risk HLA class II genotypes, we found that CD8 + T cells specific for InsB [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] had reduced frequencies of central memory cells and elevated frequencies of terminal effectors before diagnosis, relative to early-stage disease before the appearance of autoantibodies. The percentage of terminal effector cells within total CD8 + T cell populations was within the range previously reported for children of a similar age [68][69][70][71]. Surprisingly, we observed phenotypical changes in CD8 + T cells with specificity for InsB [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] but not PPI 3-11. We speculate that InsB presentation may be enhanced by autoantibody-mediated antigen presentation which will increase after seroconversion, whereas PPI, not being a part of mature insulin/proinsulin, may be targeted later by the autoimmune response via epitope spreading.…”

“…In longitudinal samples from HLA‐A*2402 + children with high‐risk HLA class II genotypes, we found that CD8 + T cells specific for InsB 15–24 had reduced frequencies of central memory cells and elevated frequencies of terminal effectors before diagnosis, relative to early‐stage disease before the appearance of autoantibodies. The percentage of terminal effector cells within total CD8 + T cell populations was within the range previously reported for children of a similar age . Surprisingly, we observed phenotypical changes in CD8 + T cells with specificity for InsB 15–24 but not PPI 3–11.…”

Age Distribution of Multiple Functionally Relevant Subsets of CD4+ T Cells in Human Blood Using a Standardized and Validated 14-Color EuroFlow Immune Monitoring Tube

“…For translation into clinical settings, age-related reference values are essential, because CD4+ T cells and their subsets in blood change throughout life: total T cells and CD4+ T cells reached their maximum levels during the first 2 years of life, gradually decreasing thereafter, until adulthood (18 years). These kinetics are mostly due to an early increase in naïve T cells caused by massive T-cell production during the first years of life (67,68) while in adulthood, an overall increase in memory/effector cells (e.g., Th subsets) at the expense of a lower naïve CD4+ T-cell production was found. In line with previous studies (44), Th2 and Treg counts were higher in CB in the absence at birth of virtually all other Th and TFH cells.…”

Clinical, genetic and immunological characteristics of 40 Chinese patients with CD40 ligand deficiency

“…Conventional lymphocyte subsets were analysed as previously described . Cells were isolated from whole blood, and staining for lymphocyte surface markers was performed after red cell lysis.…”

“…Conventional lymphocyte subsets were analysed as previously described. 17,18 Cells were isolated from whole blood, and staining for lymphocyte surface markers was performed after red cell lysis. B cells (CD19 + ) and the following B cell subsets were detected: switched memory B cells (CD19 + CD27 + IgD − ), naïve B cells (CD19 + CD27 − IgD + ), transitional B cells (CD19 + CD38 ++ CD24 + ) and plasmablasts (CD19 + CD38 ++ CD24 − ).…”