Abstract
The development of the Interleukin 2 (IL2) system of secretion and response via proliferation has not been well defined in neonates. We report the results of cord blood testing of 13 term neonates investigating T cell proliferation in response to PHA and OKT3, IL2 production, and response to exogenous highly purified IL2. The table divides the patients into 3 groups:
It is clear that neonates have good responses to PHA but variable responses to OKT3 (group 1 vs. group 2). These depressed responses to OKT3 correct exuberantly to normal with exogenous IL2 and the IL2 measured in supernatants is significantly lower in group 2 patients than in group 1, suggesting that IL2 receptors are present on the cell surface but IL2 is not secreted. This discrepancy has previously been seen only in patients recovering from bone marrow transplantation and may help explain development of the immune system in neonates and implies a possible therapeutic role of IL2. Further studies in progress include clinical comparison of groups 1 and 2, identification of anti-OKT3 binding (OKT3 is part of the antigen recognition complex) and the role of macrophages/IL1.
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Welte, K., Bussel, J., Hilgartner, M. et al. THE ROLE INTERLEUKIN 2 IN THE NEONATE. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 267 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01043
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01043