Differential IFN-? production by adult and neonatal blood CD56+ natural killer (NK) and NK-like-T cells in response to Trypanosoma cruzi and IL-15.

ABSTRACT: Early interferon-gamma (IFN-?) release by innate cells is critical to direct type 1 immune response able to control intracellular pathogens like Trypanosoma cruzi. Although CD56(bright) natural killer (NK) cells are reported to be potent early IFN-? producers, other CD56(+) cells like CD56(dim) NK cells and NK-like T cells have recently been shown to also release IFN-?. We have here studied the contribution of each CD56(+) lymphocyte populations in early IFN-? production in both adults and neonates. On this purpose, we analysed the kinetics of IFN-? production by RT-PCR, ELISA and flow cytometry from 2 h onwards after T. cruzi and IL-15 stimulation and sought for the responding CD56(+) cells. CD56(bright) and CD56(dim) CD16(-) NK cells were the more potent IFN-? early producers in response to IL-15 and parasites in adults and neonates. In both age groups, the majority of IFN-? producing cells were NK cells. However, on the contrary to neonates, CD3(+) CD56(+) NK-like T cells and CD3(+) CD56(-) 'classical' T cells also contributed to early IFN-? production in adults. Altogether, our results support that whereas NK cells responded almost similarly in neonates and adults, cord blood innate CD56(+) and CD56(-) T cells displayed major quantitative and qualitative defects that could contribute to the well-known neonatal immune immaturity.

SUBMITTER: Guilmot A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4285850 | biostudies-other | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other