A. Kavelaars et al., ONTOGENY OF THE RESPONSE OF HUMAN PERIPHERAL-BLOOD T-CELLS TO GLUCOCORTICOIDS, Brain, behavior, and immunity, 10(3), 1996, pp. 288-297
The inhibitory effect of steroids such as dexamethasone on the immune
response of adults has been widely documented. Little is known, howeve
r, about the effect of these agents on the developing immune system in
newborns. The present study describes the ontogeny of the sensitivity
of peripheral blood T cells to dexamethasone during the first year of
life. Cord blood T cells of preterm or term infants appear to be extr
emely sensitive to inhibition of the proliferative response. This high
sensitivity of cells to dexamethasone can still be observed in the fi
rst 2 weeks after birth. Subsequently, the sensitivity to dexamethason
e inhibition of T-cell proliferation gradually decreases. At 1 year of
age, the adult response pattern has been acquired. (C) 1996 Academic
Press, Inc.