CXCR5-CXCL13 axis markers in full-term and preterm human neonates in the first weeks of life

Term and preterm neonates have very few circulating Tfh-like cells (cTfh), and no circulating Tfr-like cells. Neonatal cTfh are CXCR5(lo)PD-1(lo)CD45RA(hi), suggestive of a naive, possibly recently activated phenotype. CXCL13 is high at birth, but decreases rapidly in the first weeks of life. Overall, signs of GC activity in human neonates are weak, even in those born prematurely or after sepsis. (dagger)