Abstract
We have studied the surface phenotype of cord blood lymphocytes obtained from ficoll hypaque gradients using 17 pairs of monoclonal antibodies (Mab). For this evaluation, lymphocyte gates were set based on cell volume and side scatter such that there was less than 2% monocytes. T cell characterization revealed that the CD8+ (T8, Leu2) cells were significantly decreased compared to adult normals (13.6%vs26.5%) while CD4 (T4, Leu3) cells were normal (47%vs48%). This decrease in CDS cells was reflected by a decrease in the % of T cells as measured by CD3 (T3) and CDS (T1)(61%vs76%) and an increase in the mean T4/T8 ratio (4.3vs2.0). There was no evidence for an increase in CD4/CD8 double staining cells (<1%) or T cell activation (HLA-DR & IL-2R<1% on CD3+ cells). Examination of B cells revealed that the % and absolute number was markedly increased when compared to adult normals (12.8% & 594/mm3 vs6.5% & 114/mm3 ) based on CD19 (B4) and CD20 (B1). Of significance was the observation that more than 1/2 of the cord blood B cells stained with the T cell marker CD5 (T1) while in adult normals this is seen on less than 20% of the B cells. This CD5+ B cell has surface Ig as well as CD19 and CD 20. Studies of NK cells demonstrated presence od CD16 (Leull)(7%) but virtual absence of HNK-1 (Leu7). In addition, this paired Mab analysis failed to identify almost 20% of the lymphocytes. Thus, cord blood lymphocytes have phenotypic differences in T cells, B cells and NK cells when compared to adult normals as well as having a population of lymphocytes that fail to stain using a large panel of Mab directed to lymphocyte surface antigens.
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Fleisher, T., Hagengruber, C., Marti, G. et al. TWO COLOR FLOW CYTOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF CORD BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 311 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00865
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00865