Circulating CD34(+) cells are elevated in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the paper was to determine whether circulating stem-progenitor cells were elevated along with its mobilizing cytokines in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Circulating CD34(+) cells were identified by flow cytometry in 41 RDS in comparison with 20 preterm and 14 term controls without diffuse lung diseases. Plasma concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor, stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor were determined by immunochemical assays.

RESULTS

The number of CD34(+) cells was significantly higher in RDS [25(6-174) cells/microl] than in the preterm controls [15(1-100) cells/microl, P < 0.05]. RDS survivors had higher level of CD34(+) cells than non-survivors (P < 0.05), and low CD34(+) cell level in RDS was correlated with prolonged duration of ventilation (r = -0.396, P < 0.05). Likewise, the CD34(+) cell level was inversely associated with Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal Extension II (r = -0.473, P < 0.01) in RDS. Plasma SDF-1 concentration was significantly higher in RDS than in the preterm controls (P < 0.01), and was correlated with the level of CD34(+) cells (r = 0.305, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The level of circulating CD34(+) cells was elevated in RDS along with an increase of plasma SDF-1, suggesting CD34(+) cells might be involved in reparation of neonatal lung injury.