Our study aimed to study regulatory T cells (Tregs) and their expression of CD45RA, HLA-DR, and CD39 in preterm and
full-term infants. In an observational study, we used a three-color flow cytometry for determination of Tregs and their expression
of CD45RA, HLA-DR, and CD39 in preterm and full-term infants. The percentages of CD4+
CD25+highFoxp3+, CD39+
Tregs, HLA-DR+ Tregs and the expression of Foxp3+
in CD4+
CD25+highFoxp3 Tregs cells were significantly lower in neonates
when compared to healthy adult controls. The levels of naïve resting Tregs (
CD45RA+Tregs) were significantly higher
in neonates than controls. The percentages of CD4+
CD25+highFoxp3+Tregs, total CD4+
CD25+ and CD4+
CD25+high were
significantly higher in preterm infants when compared to the full-term group. Moreover, CD45RA+
Tregs were significantly
higher in preterm than in term infants. We found significant inverse correlations between the gestational age and the levels
of both Tregs (r = − 0.395, p = 0.017) and CD45RA+
Tregs (r = − 0.422, p = 0.010). Relative to full-term, the frequencies,
and phenotypes of Tregs were affected by prematurity. A larger longitudinal study with a sufficient number of newborns is
needed to investigate the Treg pool of term and preterm infants thoroughly and to explore the association between the Treg
pool and clinical variables.