@Article{ecn.2009.0149,
AUTHOR = {Verena Wiegering, Matthias Eyrich, Christian Wunder, Helga Günther, Paul G. Schlegel, Beate Winkler},
TITLE = {Age-related changes in intracellular cytokine expression in healthy children},
JOURNAL = {European Cytokine Network},
VOLUME = {20},
YEAR = {2009},
NUMBER = {2},
PAGES = {75--80},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/ECN/v20n2/65906},
ISSN = {1952-4005},
ABSTRACT = {Cytokine production by human lymphocytes from healthy children (ages 0-18 years) was assessed
using a flow cytometric procedure involving staining of intracellular cytokines by the paraformaldehyde-saponin
procedure. To establish valid cytokine values for intracellular cytokine expression in healthy children
in the different age groups, we measured 117 samples after 24 h in vitro stimulation with PMA, ionomycin and
brefeldin followed by staining with intracellular anti-cytokine and surface antibodies. We found decreasing IL-2
expression, increasing IFN-γ and TNF-α production and stable IL-4, Ki67 and TGFb levels with advancing age.
The cytokines were mainly produced by memory T-cells. Apart from age, there was a differential expression in
boys and girls: boys (< 6 years) produce significantly more IL-2 (p < 0,04), while girls > 12 years produce more
IFNg than boys of the same age (p < 0.05). This systematic analysis of cytokine profiles during childhood allows
a better understanding of immune maturation and will contribute significantly to the interpretation of cytokine
data from children with pathological conditions.},
DOI = {10.1684/ecn.2009.0149}
}