Changes in lymphocyte subsets with age in perinatal cats: late gestation through eight weeks

• Published in: Veterinary immunology and immunopathology Vol. 53; no. 1; pp. 105 - 113
• Main Authors: Sellon, Rance K., Levy, Julie K., Jordan, Holly L., Gebhard, Doug H., Tompkins, Mary B., Tompkins, Wayne A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.09.1996
• Subjects: Aging - immunology; AIDS/HIV; Animals; Animals, Newborn - growth & development; Animals, Newborn - immunology; Cat; Cats; CD4-CD8 Ratio - veterinary; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - cytology; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - physiology; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - cytology; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - physiology; Embryonic and Fetal Development - immunology; Female; Flow cytometry; Lymphocyte phenotype; Lymphocyte Subsets - cytology; Lymphocyte Subsets - physiology; Perinatal; Pregnancy; Perinatal; Flow cytometry; Lymphocyte phenotype; Cat
• ISSN: 0165-2427; 1873-2534
• DOI: 10.1016/0165-2427(96)05556-0

The age-related changes in numbers and proportions of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets (pan-T, CD4, CD8, Ig, and null) were evaluated by two-color flow cytometry in 16 feline fetuses (56–58 days gestational age) and 21 kittens from birth through 8 weeks of age. Populations of pan-T +, CD4 +, and CD8 + cells increased in total numbers as a function of increases in total lymphocyte numbers while proportions of these subsets remained relatively static. In contrast, both the total number and proportion of Ig + cells increased from birth to 4 weeks of age, after which there were essentially no changes. Null (pan-T −), Ig − cells were highest during late gestation and declined steadily thereafter to become a minimal component of the peripheral lymphocyte subsets. Compared with normal adult values, CD4 CD8 ratios were high throughout the 8 week study period. These results illustrate that the neonatal cat blood lymphocyte profile undergoes maturational changes and emphasize the importance of evaluating age-matched controls in studies of conditions that may alter feline lymphocyte subsets.