[Cytokine production by adult and cord blood (CB) cells--comparison and explanation of differences].

Cytokine production may be analysed with the use of different techniques including ELISA, bioassay, mRNA analysis or intracellular cytokine staining. Regardless of the used stimulation and analysis method, cytokine production has been found to be reduced in cord blood compared to the adult cells. In general cord blood cells produce less cytokine, have a lower bioactivity or a reduced frequency of cytokine producing cells as compared to adult cells. This paper gives an overview of the cytokine production by different subpopulations of adult and CB cells, and presents some ideas leading to an explanation of the apparent differences in cytokine production by adult or cord blood cells.