A Study On Dysfunction Of T Help Cell Subsets In Neonatal Hypoxic-ischemic Encephalopathy

[Objective] To study the dysfunctional feature of T helper cell subsets in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE) , and explore the relationship between the cytokines of Th1 , Th2 and the degree of HIE. [Methods] The cytokine production in the cultured supernatants of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with PHA, from 35 neonates with HIE and 15 age-matched healthy controls , was determined using "sandwich" ELISA. [Results] The Th1 cytokine levels (median) of IFN- y and IL-2 of HIE group were statistically lower than those in controls (IFN- 106 vs 427pg/ml , p<0.01; IL-2 527 vs 1218pg/ml, P< 0.01). In contrast, the Th2 cytokine levels (median) of IL-4 and IL-6 of HIE group were obviously higher compared with the controls ( IL-4 248 vs 112pg/ml, p<0.05; IL-6 643 vs 86pg/ml , P< 0.01 ) . Levels of IL-6 in patients with HIE were markedly positive correlated with the degree of HIE ( r =0.474, p<0.01 ). IL-4 in patients with HIE were nocorrelated with the degree of HIE ( r =0.277 ,p>0.05 ), The levels of IL-2 in HIE group were negative correlated with the degree of HIE ( r =-0.352, p<0.05 ). IFN- Y of HIE group were negative correlated with the degree of HIE ( r =-0.357, p<0.05 ) [Conclusion] Obviously lower levels of Thi cytokine and higher levels of Th2 cytokine in HIEindicate the dysfunctional of T helper cell subsets , which might play an important role in the pathogenesis of HIE. Levels of Th cytokine were correlated with the degree of HIE.