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- Title
Characterization of T-cell population in children with prolonged fetal exposure to dexamethasone for anti-Ro/SS-A antibodies associated congenital heart block.
- Authors
Airó, P.; Scarsi, M.; Brucato, A.; Benicchi, T.; Malacarne, F.; Cavazzana, I.; Danieli, E.; LiDestri, M.; Motta, M.; Caimi, L.; Tincani, A.; Imberti, L.
- Abstract
The objectives of the study were to characterize the production, function and survival of T lymphocytes of children with prolonged fetal exposure to dexamethasone for anti-Ro/SS-A antibodies associated congenital complete heart block. The analysis of thymic function, studied by measuring the level of T-cell receptor excision circles, was performed by real time PCR, the composition of T-cell subpopulation was evaluated by flow cytometry and the T-cell diversity was assayed by heteroduplex analysis. T-cell competence was gauged at two functional levels by determining the proliferation and the number of T-cell divisions and by measuring γ-interferon production after mitogenic stimulation. We observed that the thymic output, distribution of T-cell subsets, thymidine incorporation, number of T-cell divisions, and γ-interferon production were comparable to those of age-matched control. On the contrary, heteroduplex analysis demonstrated the presence of both polyclonal and oligoclonal peripheral T-cell repertoires. In conclusion, the analysis of the T-cell compartment in children with prolonged intrauterine exposure to high dose dexamethasone did not disclose any relevant abnormality, except a restriction of T-cell receptor diversity in some patients.
- Subjects
T cells; LYMPHOCYTES; CHILDREN; HEART block; T cell receptors; DRUG dosage
- Publication
Lupus, 2006, Vol 15, Issue 9, p553
- ISSN
0961-2033
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1177/0961203306071869