Zola H, Fusco M, Weedon H, Macardle P J, Ridings J, Roberton D M
Child Health Research Institute, North Adelaide, South Australia.
Immunology. 1996 Jan;87(1):86-91.
Mutation of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor gamma chain, which also serves as a component of the receptor complexes for IL-4, 7, 9 and 15, results in severe immune deficiency. We hypothesized that the immunological immaturity of healthy neonates might be associated with low levels of expression of this receptor molecule. Using monoclonal antibody and a highly sensitive immunofluorescence method, we showed that IL-2 receptor gamma chain is expressed at significantly lower levels on cord blood cells compared with adult cells. IL-2-dependent T-cell activation in vitro was reduced in cord blood cells compared with adult cells, but B-cell responses to IL-4 were not obviously impaired. The lower level of expression of the gamma chain and some other cytokine receptor chains may contribute to the immunological immaturity of the newborn, by selectively depressing particular immunological mechanisms.
白细胞介素-2（IL-2）受体γ链的突变会导致严重免疫缺陷，该γ链也是IL-4、7、9和15受体复合物的组成部分。我们推测健康新生儿的免疫不成熟可能与该受体分子的低表达水平有关。使用单克隆抗体和高灵敏度免疫荧光法，我们发现与成人细胞相比，脐带血细胞上IL-2受体γ链的表达水平显著降低。与成人细胞相比，脐带血细胞体外依赖IL-2的T细胞活化减少，但B细胞对IL-4的反应未明显受损。γ链和其他一些细胞因子受体链的低表达水平可能通过选择性抑制特定免疫机制，导致新生儿免疫不成熟。
