Significant augmentation of regulatory T cell numbers occurs during the early neonatal period

Regulatory T cells (Tregs ) control immune responses by suppressing various inflammatory cells. Tregs in newborn babies may play an important role in preventing excessive immune responses during their environmental change. We examined the number and phenotype of Tregs during the neonatal period in 49 newborn babies. Tregs were characterized by flow cytometry using cord blood (CB) and peripheral blood (PB) from the early (7-8 days after birth)...