B and T Lymphocyte Subsets in Fetal and Cord Blood: Age-Related Modulation of CD1c Expression

Abstract

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from fetal, term and adult subjects were analyzed with a panel of B- and T-lymphoid differentiation markers. CD1c +ve and CD5 +ve B cell (IgM +ve) percentage in fetal, cord and adult blood decreased significantly. Fetal and cord blood contained less CD2+ and CD3+ T lymphocytes and a higher percentage of CD38 +ve cells than adult blood. The phenotypic changes occurring during perinatal age in humans relate to the changes in the functional activities of the B and T lymphoid subsets from fetal to postnatal age.