Influence of perinatal risk factors on CD3+/TCR αβ and CD3+/TCR γδ lymphocytes in cord blood of preterm neonates

Background: The aim of the study was the evaluation of CD3+/TCR alphabeta and CD3+/TCR gammadelta lymphocytes in the cord blood of the preterm neonates. Methods: The study included 26 term neonates as a control group delivered both by spontaneous labor and by cesarean section and 41 preterm neonates: (i) by cesarean section due to abruptio placentae, (ii) by cesarean section due to the danger of intrauterine asphyxia, (iii) by cesarean section due to preterm rupture of membrane (PROM), and (iv) by spontaneous labor. Immunological analysis was performed in the flow cytometer FACScan, using anti-CD3, anti-TCR alphabeta and anti-TCR gammadelta monoclonal antibodies from Becton Dickinson (San Jose, California USA). Results: It was shown that the way of delivery does not influence the value of CD3+/TCR alphabeta lymphocytes. A decrease of the percentage and number of CD3+/TCR gammadelta lymphocytes was found in neonates delivered by elective cesarean section. However, the danger of intrauterine fetal asphyxia, as a reason for preterm delivery, influenced a considerable increase of the number of CD3+/TCR alphabeta and CD3+/TCR gammadelta lymphocytes. Perinatal risk factors (abruptio placentae, PROM) were related to the lowest number of CD3+/TCR gammadelta lymphocytes in the blood of the preterm neonates. Conclusion: The obtained results suggest that in spite of considerable immaturity, both a term and preterm neonate is prepared for the immune response and is able to activate cell mechanisms. The precise mechanism that links CD3+/TCR alphabeta and CD3+/TCR gammadelta lymphocytes and pathological condition of preterm birth remains unclear.