Intrauterine Growth Restriction Alters T-Lymphocyte Cell Number and Dual Specificity Phosphatase 1 Levels in the Thymus of Newborn and Juvenile Rats

Intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) infants have increased susceptibility to infection associated with higher risk of illness and death. Dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1), which is transcribed in the thymus, increases in quantity as T cells mature and differentiate into CD4+ cells. Little is known about how IUGR affects DUSP1 levels and T-cell subpopulations over time. We hypothesized that IUGR would decrease cell count, CD4+ and CD8+ subpopulations of T lymphocytes, and DUSP1 levels in IUGR rat thymus and spleen. Bilateral uterine artery ligation produced IUGR rats. Thymus and spleen were harvested at PO and P21. Flow cytometry was used to compare CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte populations. Real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to determine DUSP1 quantity. IUGR significantly decreased total cell count in PO and P21 IUGR male and female thymus. IUGR significantly increased CD4+ cells in IUGR PO males and females, significantly decreased CD4+ cells in P21 female thymus, and significantly altered DUSP1 levels in the IUGR female thymus at PO and P21, although it is not yet known whether the change in DUSP1 levels is due to a change in the level per cell or to a change in cellular composition of the thymus. (Pediatr Res 70: 123-129, 2011)