Vγ9Vδ2-T lymphocytes have impaired antiviral function in small-for-gestational-age and preterm neonates

• Published in: Cellular & molecular immunology 2013-05, Vol.10 (3), p.253-260
• Main Authors: Li, Jinrong, Li, Hong, Mao, Huawei, Yu, Meixing, Feng, Ting, Yang, Fan, Fan, Yingying, Lu, Qiao, Shen, Chongyang, Yin, Zhongwei, Tu, Wenwei, Mao, Meng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Antibodies; Antiviral activity; Antiviral Agents - immunology; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Birth weight; Birth Weight - drug effects; Birth Weight - immunology; Cytokines - metabolism; Demography; Female; Gestational Age; Hemiterpenes - pharmacology; Humans; Immune system; Immunology; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature - immunology; Infant, Small for Gestational Age - immunology; Infections; Lymphocytes; Lymphocytes T; Male; Medical Microbiology; Microbiology; Neonates; Organophosphorus Compounds - pharmacology; Orthomyxoviridae - drug effects; Orthomyxoviridae - immunology; Perforin - metabolism; Premature Birth - immunology; Premature Birth - virology; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta - metabolism; research-article; T-Lymphocytes - drug effects; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; T-Lymphocytes - virology; T淋巴细胞; T细胞; Vaccine; Viral infections; 妊娠; 年龄; 微生物感染; 抗病毒功能; 早产儿; 病毒感染
• ISSN: 1672-7681; 2042-0226
• DOI: 10.1038/cmi.2012.78

Preterm and small-for-gestational-age （SGA） neonates are vulnerable groups that are susceptible to various microbial infections. Vγ9Vδ2-T cells are critical components of the host immune system and have been demonstrated to play an important role in the defense against viral infection in adults. However, the characteristics of Vγ9Vδ2-T cells in children, especially the preterm and SGA populations, are poorly understood. Here, we examined the frequency and antiviral function of Vγ9Vδ2-T cells in neonates, including preterm, SGA and full-term babies. When compared to adults, neonates had a significantly lower percentage of Vγ9Vδ2-T cells in the blood. Upon influenza virus stimulation, neonatalVγ9Vδ2-T cells, especially from preterm and SGA babies, showed markedly decreased and delayed antiviral cytokine responses than those of adults. In addition, the antiviral responses of neonatal Vγ9Vδ2-T cells were positively correlated with gestational age and birth weight. Finally, a weaker expansion ofVγ9Vδ2-T cells by isopentenyl pyrophosphate （IPP） was shown in neonates than the expansion in adults. Our data suggest that the depressed antiviral activity and decreased frequency of Vγ9Vδ2-T cells may likely account for the high susceptibility to microbial infection in neonates, particularly in preterm and SGA babies. Improving Vγ9Vδ2-T -cell function of neonates may provide a new way to defend against virus infection.