Fetal thymus size in human pregnancies reveals inverse association with regulatory T cell frequencies in cord blood. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Diemert, Anke; Hartwig, Isabel; Pagenkemper, Mirja; Mehnert, Ryoko; Hansen, Gudula; Tolosa, Eva; Hecher, Kurt; Arck, Petra
• Is Part Of: Journal of reproductive immunology. Volume 113(2016)
• Page Start: 76
• Page End: 82
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: Fetal thymus -- Fetal immune system -- T-cells -- Fetal ultrasound; Reproduction -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; Immunology -- Periodicals; Allergy and Immunology -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Immunologie -- Périodiques; Immunologie -- Périodiques; Immunology; Reproduction -- Immunological aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 615.766
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2015.12.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-0378

Abstract

Highlights: Linear fetal thymus growth can be reliably measured using prenatal ultrasound. We show an inverse correlation between fetal thymus size and cord blood Treg cells. Indicating a link between fetal growth, thymus development and immune-status at birth. Abstract: Objective: To determine fetal thymus growth and its relationship with fetal weight and cord blood T-regulatory cells in a prospective study. Assessment of fetal immune organs by ultrasound could provide a screening approach to identify fetuses at risk of impaired postnatal immunity. Study design and outcome measures: Thymus size was measured with four ultrasound techniques. The approaches with lowest coefficient of variation (thymus transverse diameter, 3 vessel edge) were used to longitudinally assess fetal and thymus growth in 137 cases at four time points between a gestational age (GA) of 13 and 37 weeks. Cord blood at birth was analyzed by flow-cytometry to evaluate the frequency of regulatory T (Treg) cells. Results and conclusion: Fetal thymus growth is significantly correlated with fetal weight (GA 23–25 weeks r = 0.40, p < 0.01; GA 28–30 weeks r = 0.21, p = 0.04, GA 35–37 weeks r = 0.56, p < 0.01). We observed an inverse correlation between fetal thymus size at GA 23–25 weeks and cord blood Treg cells ( r = 0.37, p = 0.01). Thymus growth occurs in a linear fashion throughout pregnancy and can be reliably measured using ultrasound. Our findings of an inverse correlation between thymus growth and Treg cells in cord blood suggests a link between fetal growth, thymus development and immune-status at birth.