%A Andriamanantena,Zo %A Randrianarisaona,Fanirisoa %A Rakotondrainipiana,Maheninasy %A Andriantsalama,Prisca %A Randriamparany,Ravaka %A Randremanana,Rindra %A Randrianirina,Frédérique %A Novault,Sophie %A Duffy,Darragh %A Huetz,François %A Hasan,Milena %A Schoenhals,Matthieu %A Sansonetti,Philippe J. %A Vonaesch,Pascale %A Vigan-Womas,Inès %A ,Afribiota Investigators %A Barbot-Trystram,Laurence %A Barouki,Robert %A Bastaraud,Alexandra %A Collard,Jean-Marc %A Doria,Maria %A Duffy,Darragh %A Djorie,Serge Ghislain %A Giles-Vernick,Tamara %A Gondje,Bolmbaye Privat %A Gody,Jean-Chrysostome %A Hasan,Milena %A Héraud,Jean-Michel %A Hunald,Francis Allan %A Kapel,Nathalie %A Lombart,Jean-Pierre %A Manirakiza,Alexandre %A Nigatoloum,Synthia Nazita %A Parfrey,Laura Wegener %A Raharimalala,Lisette %A Rakotondrainipiana,Maheninasy %A Randremanana,Rindra Vatosoa %A Randriamizao,Harifetra Mamy Richard %A Randrianirina,Frédérique %A Robinson,Annick Lalaina %A Rubbo,Pierre-Alain %A Sansonetti,Philippe %A Schaeffer,Laura %A Gouandjika-Vassilache,Ionela %A Vonaesch,Pascale %A Vondo,Sonia Sandrine %A Vigan-Womas,Inès %D 2022 %J Frontiers in Immunology %C %F %G English %K stunting,environmental enteric dysfunction,Flow Cytometry,Monocytes,regulatory T cells,Madagascar,Systemic immune cells %Q %R 10.3389/fimmu.2022.864084 %W %L %M %P %7 %8 2022-June-02 %9 Original Research %+ Inès Vigan-Womas,Immunology of Infectious Diseases Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar,Madagascar,ines.vigan-womas@pasteur.fr %# %! Systemic immune population changes during stunting %* %< %T Changes in Systemic Regulatory T Cells, Effector T Cells, and Monocyte Populations Associated With Early-Life Stunting %U https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.864084 %V 13 %0 JOURNAL ARTICLE %@ 1664-3224 %X Stunting and environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) may be responsible for altered gut and systemic immune responses. However, their impact on circulating immune cell populations remains poorly characterized during early life. A detailed flow cytometry analysis of major systemic immune cell populations in 53 stunted and 52 non-stunted (2 to 5 years old) children living in Antananarivo (Madagascar) was performed. Compared to age-matched non-stunted controls, stunted children aged 2-3 years old had a significantly lower relative proportion of classical monocytes. No significant associations were found between stunting and the percentages of effector T helper cell populations (Th1, Th2, Th17, Th1Th17, and cTfh). However, we found that HLA-DR expression (MFI) on all memory CD4+ or CD8+ T cell subsets was significantly lower in stunted children compared to non-stunted controls. Interestingly, in stunted children compared to the same age-matched non-stunted controls, we observed statistically significant age-specific differences in regulatory T cells (Treg) subsets. Indeed, in 2- to 3-year-old stunted children, a significantly higher percentage of memory Treg, whilst a significantly lower percentage of naive Treg, was found. Our results revealed that both innate and adaptive systemic cell percentages, as well as activation status, were impacted in an age-related manner during stunting. Our study provides valuable insights into the understanding of systemic immune system changes in stunted children.