Lm. Pilarski et al., ANALYSIS OF PERIPHERAL-BLOOD LYMPHOCYTE POPULATIONS AND IMMUNE FUNCTION FROM CHILDREN EXPOSED TO CYCLOSPORINE OR TO AZATHIOPRINE IN-UTERO, Transplantation, 57(1), 1994, pp. 133-144
We have analyzed PBL from 7 children exposed to CsA in utero and 4 chi
ldren exposed to AZA in utero. Expression of CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD20 w
ere normal for both groups of children; however, significant differenc
es were detected in the expression of CD45RA, CD45RO, and CD29. While
CsA-exposed children had higher density of CD45RA, and a higher propor
tion of CD45RA(+)RO(-) T cells, than did unexposed children, those exp
osed to AZA alone had decreased CD45RA(+) and a large increase in CD45
RA(-)RO(+) T cells. It appears the exposure to CsA slightly delays T c
ell development, whereas exposure to AZA, without concomitant exposure
to CsA, accelerates development to that of an adult. The effects of C
sA abrogated the effects of AZA when both were present during pregnanc
y. The expression of CD29, the beta 1-integrin, on T cells has been li
nked to enhanced ability to respond to recall antigens and to home to
sites of infection. Among children exposed to CsA, T cells from cord b
lood and a 8-month-old infant have a normal CD29 profile. However from
1 to 6 years of age the proportion of T cells expressing a high densi
ty of CD29 is significantly lower (4-fold) than that of T cells from u
nexposed children. Because these children have no outward signs of imm
unodeficiency, we postulate that this low proportion is still sufficie
nt for normal immune responsiveness. The distribution of CD29 on T cel
ls was different for the 3 study groups. Among CsA-exposed children, a
lthough the proportion of CD29(hi) T cells was much reduced, all were
CB45RA(+), as was also the case for unexposed children. In contrast, a
mong children exposed only to AZA the majority of CD29(hi) T cells wer
e CD45RO(+). Serological testing indicated that immunoglobulin and com
plement levels, as well as seroconversion in response to vaccination,
were normal among CsA-exposed children, with no detectable autoantibod
ies to cellular or tissue components, including parietal cells. Unlike
T cell development in inbred rodents, the immune system in humans app
ears to be remarkably resilient, and successfully adapts to the presen
ce of CsA during its early developmental stages. This work. suggests t
hat the presence of CsA throughout pregnancy has only a minimal effect
on fetal immune development and appears to have less impact on T cell
s than does exposure to AZA only. We conclude that children exposed to
CsA in utero are not likely to be at risk. of immunodeficiency or aut
oimmunity.