慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血NK细胞和T淋巴细胞计数变化及其临床意义

目的观察慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血NK细胞和T淋巴细胞数量的变化。方法在56例乙型肝炎肝衰竭、49例HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎和41例乙型肝炎病毒携带者使用流式细胞仪检测外周血CD3+T细胞、CD3+CD4+T细胞、CD3+CD8+T细胞和NK(CD3-CD16+CD56+)细胞占淋巴细胞的比率(%)。结果肝衰竭患者CD3+T细胞和CD3-CD16+CD56+NK细胞计数比慢性乙型肝炎患者和乙型肝炎病毒携带者显著性降低(P0.05);慢性乙型肝炎患者CD3-CD16+CD56+NK细胞计数比乙型肝炎病毒携带者显著性升高(P0.05)。结论乙型肝炎肝衰竭患者外周血T细胞和NK细胞数量减少,而HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血T细胞数量增多。     

冠心病患者外周血T细胞亚群和自然杀伤细胞的变化

目的:探讨外周血CD4+T细胞、CD8+T细胞、CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞、自然杀伤细胞(NK细胞)水平与冠状动脉(冠脉)病变程度的关系.方法:选择收治的冠心病或疑诊为冠心病行冠脉造影的患者126例,按临床表现,冠脉造影诊断分为4组:急性心肌梗死(AMI)组34例、不稳定型心绞痛(UAP)组49例、稳定型心绞痛(SAP)组20例和冠脉造影正常胸痛综合征组(对照组)23例,采用流式细胞术测定4组患者外周血CD4+T细胞、CD8+T细胞、CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞(分为CD4+CD25+T细胞和CD4+CD25++T细胞)、NK(CD3-CD16+CD56+)细胞亚群占淋巴细胞的比例.同时分析各组T细胞亚群和NK细胞水平与Gensini积分相关性.结果:AMI组和UAP组CD4+T细胞较对照组显著升高,而CD8+T细胞、CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞、NK细胞显著降低(P＜0.05);SAP组较对照组NK细胞显著升高(P＜0.05).CD8+T细胞,CD4+CD25+T细胞,CD4+CD25++T细胞与Gensini积分均呈负相关性(P＜0.05).结论:CD4+升高,CD8+T细胞、CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞、NK细胞降低可能反映了冠心病患者异常增强的免疫反应及免疫调节受损,其参与了动脉粥样硬化的发生发展.随着免疫调节受损加重,冠脉病变的数最和狭窄程度可能加重.     

不同HBeAg状态下慢性乙型肝炎患者肝组织内CD4~+、CD8~+、CD20~+、CD57~+ T淋巴细胞的表达分析

目的探讨HBe Ag阳性和阴性慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者肝内免疫活性细胞(CD4+、CD8+、CD20+、CD57+T淋巴细胞)与肝脏病理及临床的关系。方法选取2008年1月-2013年12月在桂林市第三人民医院住院的70例CHB患者进行肝穿刺活组织检查,其中HBe Ag阳性患者38例,HBe Ag阴性患者32例。运用免疫组化染色分析肝组织内CD4+、CD8+、CD20+、CD57+T淋巴细胞的表达,比较不同HBe Ag状态患者CD4+、CD8+、CD20+、CD57+T淋巴细胞与临床相关性。等级资料采用Kruskal-Walls H检验,组间比较采用Nemenyi法,相关性分析采用直线相关分析法。结果 HBe Ag阳性和阴性患者的炎症程度到达G3~G4,其肝组织中CD8+、CD20+T淋巴细胞的表达均比G1组明显增加(P值均0.05);HBe Ag阳性患者炎症程度到达G4、而HBe Ag阴性患者炎症程度到达G3,其肝组织中CD4+T淋巴细胞的表达比G1组明显增加(P值均0.05);在HBe Ag阴性患者中CD4+、CD8+、CD20+、CD57+T淋巴细胞均与ALT水平呈正相关(r值分别为0.353、0.628、0.693、0.540,P值均0.05),且CD20+T淋巴细胞还与HBV DNA水平呈正相关(r=0.378,P0.05)。而在HBe Ag阳性患者中只有CD8+、CD20+T淋巴细胞与ALT水平呈正相关,与HBV DNA水平无相关性。结论不同HBe Ag状态患者肝组织内CD4+、CD8+、CD20+T淋巴细胞表达与肝组织内炎症分级均有明显相关性,但肝内免疫活性细胞与ALT、HBV DNA水平的相关性存在差异。     

老年宫颈癌患者外周血调节性T细胞及T细胞亚群表达及其与宫颈癌临床病理特点的关系

目的观察老年宫颈癌患者外周血调节性T细胞(Treg细胞)、T细胞亚群(CD4~+T细胞、CD8~+T细胞)及CD4~+/CD8~+水平及其与宫颈癌临床病理特点的关系。方法选择南通市港闸区宫颈癌筛查中老年宫颈癌患者90例作为宫颈癌组,宫颈正常老年女性90例作为对照组。采用流式细胞术测定外周血Treg细胞、CD4~+T细胞、CD8~+T细胞,计算CD4~+/CD8~+比值。分析Treg细胞、CD4~+、CD8~+细胞水平与宫颈癌临床病理特征的关系。结果宫颈癌外周血Treg细胞、CD4~+T细胞、CD4~+/CD8~+高于对照组(P0.05),CD8~+T细胞低于对照组(P0.05)。宫颈癌外周血Treg细胞、CD4~+细胞、CD8~+细胞、CD4~+/CD8~+T与宫颈癌临床分期、分化程度、淋巴结转移有关(P0.05),其中临床分期高、分化程度低、有淋巴结转移者外周血Treg细胞、CD4~+细胞、CD4~+/CD8~+明显高于临床分期低、分化程度高、无淋巴结转移者,CD8~+细胞明显低于临床分期低、分化程度高、无淋巴结转移者;宫颈癌外周血Treg细胞、CD4~+T细胞、CD8~+T细胞和CD4~+/CD8~+与宫颈癌年龄、宫颈癌类型、肿瘤直径、肌层浸润深度、脉管癌栓无关(P0.05)。结论老年宫颈癌患者外周血Treg细胞和T细胞亚群水平失调,外周血Treg细胞和T细胞亚群水平与宫颈癌的临床分期、分化程度和淋巴结转移有关。     

慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血CD8~+T细胞CD95表达的研究

目的检测慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血CD8+T细胞CD95分子的表达水平,了解CD95分子表达与炎症进展的关系。方法采集37例慢性乙型肝炎患者及健康对照者外周血,分离外周血单个核细胞(PBMCs),用流式细胞术检测外周血CD8+T细胞CD95分子的表达情况。结果高病毒载量组和低病毒载量组CD8+T细胞CD95的表达均显著高于健康对照组(P0.05);CD95的表达及CD8+T细胞频率之间存在负相关关系(r=-0.3486)。结论慢性乙型肝炎患者CD95的高表达可能促进了CD8+T细胞的凋亡,使CD8+T细胞的抗病毒作用减弱,可能与HBV持续感染、慢性乙型肝炎的形成机制有关。     

外周血DNT细胞和T细胞亚群检测在乙型肝炎病毒感染者诊断中的意义

目的：探讨乙型肝炎病毒感染者外周血CD3＋CD4-CD8-T细胞（DNT）和T细胞亚群的变化及意义。方法使用流式细胞仪检测136例乙型肝炎病毒感染者,包括33例无症状携带者、28例急性乙型肝炎患者、28例轻度慢性乙型肝炎患者、25例中度慢性乙型肝炎患者、22例重度慢性乙型肝炎患者和39例健康人外周血DNT细胞及T细胞亚群。结果健康人群和急性乙型肝炎患者外周血DNT细胞比例分别为（4.82±3.43）%和（4.75±2.71）%,显著低于无症状携带者[（5.43±3.31）%,P〈0.05]和慢性乙型肝炎患者（P〈0.05）;轻度慢性乙型肝炎患者DNT细胞比例为（7.97±4.12）%,显著低于重度慢性乙型肝炎患者[（11.36±5.01）%,P〈0.05];中度慢性乙型肝炎患者DNT细胞比例为（8.41±4.93）%,也显著低于重度慢性乙型肝炎患者（P〈0.05）;健康人、急性乙型肝炎患者和无症状携带者之间 T 淋巴细胞亚群分布无明显差异,但随着慢性乙型肝炎患者病情加重,外周血 CD3＋、CD3＋CD4＋CD8-细胞比例降低（P〈0.05）,CD3＋CD4-CD8＋细胞比例升高（P〈0.05）。结论外周血DNT细胞比例的升高与乙型肝炎病毒感染者慢性化及慢性乙型肝炎患者的疾病进程有关。     

慢性HBV感染患者外周血CD4~+CD25~+调节性T细胞表达及其临床意义

目的探讨CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞与慢性HBV感染后不同临床转归和临床特点的相关性。方法在26例慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者、15例无症状HBsAg携带者(ASC)和11例肝炎肝硬化(LC)患者和16例正常对照者,分离外周血单个核细胞(PBMC),采用流式细胞仪检测CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的表达水平。结果CHB组和ASC组的CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞占CD4+T细胞的百分率分别为4.40±2.76%和4.43±2.10%,均高于正常对照组(2.70±0.97%),差异显著(P0.01);CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的表达水平与HBVDNA水平无相关性(r=0.018,P0.05);在HBeAg阳性与阴性组患者CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的表达也无明显的差异(P0.05)。结论慢性HBV感染者外周血CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞水平升高,可能与HBV感染的慢性化有关。     

自身免疫性肝炎患者肝内调节性T细胞的数量变化及其意义

目的 研究自身免疫性肝炎(AIH)患者外周血及肝内CD4+ CD25+调节性T细胞（Treg细胞）数量和功能变化.方法 应用流式细胞技术,比较正常人（25例）、慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者（18例）和AIH患者（25例）外周血中Treg细胞的变化;应用免疫组织化学染色方法进行Foxp3染色,比较CHB患者（15例）和AI...     

乙型肝炎患者外周血CD4^＋T细胞Notch1蛋白的表达

目的探讨CD4^＋T细胞Notch1蛋白在乙型肝炎病人发病机制中的作用。方法采用流式细胞仪检测23例慢性乙型肝炎患者、8例急性乙型肝炎患者和10例健康对照者的外周血CD4^＋T细胞Notch1蛋白表达水平,并应用荧光定量PCR方法测定上述研究对象血中HBV-DNA滴度。结果慢性乙型肝炎组外周血CD4^＋T细胞Notch1蛋白的平均百分率为（3.17±0.65）%,与急性乙型肝炎组（1.85±0.46）%和健康对照组（2.18±0.57）%比较都有极其显著差异（P〈0.001）;急性乙型肝炎组外周血CD4^＋T细胞Notch1蛋白的百分率与健康对照组比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血CD4^＋T细胞Notch1蛋白的百分率与HBV-DNA滴度呈正相关。结论Notch1蛋白在慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血中表达增高,说明其可能参与乙型肝炎病情的发展及病毒的清除。     

不同病理分型胃癌患者放疗前后T细胞亚群及NK细胞的变化

目的探讨胃癌根治术后放疗对外周血T细胞亚群及NK细胞的影响及不同胃癌病理分型放疗前后T细胞亚群及NK细胞的变化。方法选择该院2011年6月至2013年6月收治的55例胃癌手术患者,另选取同期35例健康人作为对照组,采用流式细胞术测定外周血T细胞亚群和NK细胞相对比例的变化,比较不同病理类型胃癌患者放疗前后T细胞亚群和NK细胞变化趋势。结果胃癌患者根治术后放疗前外周血CD3+、CD4+、CD8+T细胞和NK细胞的比例接近对照组(P>0.05);放疗后,胃癌患者外周血CD3+、CD4+、CD8+T细胞和NK细胞的比例显著降低(P<0.05)。不同病理类型的胃癌患者,放疗前后其外周血T细胞亚群及NK细胞水平存在不同程度的变化,其中乳头状腺癌患者放疗后CD8+T细胞、NK细胞比例减少(P<0.05),但是CD3+T细胞、CD4+T细胞没有变化;管状腺癌患者放疗后CD3+T细胞和CD4+T细胞和NK细胞比例显著降低(P<0.05),CD8+T细胞没有变化;印戒细胞癌和未分化癌患者的T细胞亚群水平显著下降(P<0.05),但是NK不受影响;黏液腺癌患者放疗前后外周血T细胞亚群及NK细胞水平均没有变化。结论手术后放疗能够抑制胃癌患者的免疫功能,放疗前后不同病理类型的胃癌患者外周血T细胞亚群及NK细胞变化各不相同。应该根据不同的病理类型实行相应的增强免疫功能措施。     

扩张型心肌病患者CD4~+CD25~+Foxp3~+ T细胞的检测及意义

目的:探讨扩张型心肌病(DCM)患者外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T细胞的水平及意义。方法:采用流式细胞术检测DCM患者30例及健康对照组20例外周血CD4+CD25+T细胞和CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T细胞的比例。结果:DCM患者外周血CD4+CD25+T细胞占CD4+T细胞的比例为(8.53±1.64)%,显著低于健康对照组的(11.4±2.17)%,P0.01;DCM患者CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T细胞占CD4+T细胞比例为(0.99±0.54)%,显著低于健康对照组的(1.55±0.55)%,P0.01;且DCM患者心功能越差,CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T细胞占CD4+T细胞的比例越低。结论:DCM患者调节性T细胞比例的减少,可能打破了自身免疫耐受,发生了针对心肌抗原的自身免疫反应,参与了DCM的发病。     

支气管哮喘大鼠CD4+CD25+T细胞的变化及地塞米松干预作用的研究

目的 研究支气管哮喘(简称哮喘)大鼠模型支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)、血液、脾脏CD4+CD25+T细胞的变化,及地塞米松对CD4+CD25+T细胞的影响.方法 50只SD大鼠随机分为5组,空白对照(A)组,哮喘(B)组,地塞米松1(C)组、地塞米松2(D)组,地塞米松3(E)组.A组第l天给予腹腔注射生理盐水l ml,第15～21天每天给予生理盐水雾化.B、C、D、E组用卵蛋白建立哮喘大鼠模型,第1天,每只大鼠腹腔注射抗原l ml(卵蛋白1 mg+灭活百日咳杆菌9×106个+氢氧化铝干粉100 mg)混悬液,第15～21天给予1%的卵蛋白雾化30 min,C、D、E组于雾化后分别给予腹腔注射地塞米松0.2 mg/kg、1 mg/kg、2 mg/kg.采用流式细胞仪检测的方法 ,观察大鼠体内BALF、外周血、脾脏CD4+CD25+T细胞的变化及使用不同剂量地塞米松后对其的影响.结果 B组BALF、外周血、脾脏CD4+CD25+T细胞表达占CD4+T细胞的百分比分别是(42.21±5.62)%、(12.69±2.70)%、(11.15±1.05)%,A组结果 分别是(18.76±5.85)%、(6.21±1.73)%、(7.85±2.13)%.B组与A组比较,差异均具有统计学意义(P＜0.01,P＜0.01,P＜0.05);C组、D组、E组BALF中CD4+CD25+T细胞占CD4+T细胞的百分比表达分别是(10.49±4.03)%、(13.28±5.12)%、(7.51±5.39)%,显著低于A组和B组,(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);外周血中,C组(6.03±1.43)%、D组(4.88±0.95)%与A组(6.21±1.73)%比较,差异无统计学意义,E组(3.49±0.62)%与C组、A组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).脾脏中,C组(7.25±1.82)%、D组(8.63±3.18)%与A组(7.85±2.13)%比较,差异无统计学意义,E组(3.38±1.37)%与C组、D组、A组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 CD4+CD25+T细胞在哮喘大鼠体内有明显的优势表达,可能是哮喘发病的机制之一.地塞米松可以抑制CD4+CD25+T细胞的表达.BALF内CD4+CD25+T细胞的变化与外周血和脾脏的变化具有一致性,监测外周血或脾脏CD4+CD25+T细胞变化可了解肺部情况.     

肺结核患者外周血CD_4~+、CD_8~+T细胞Blimp-1表达下降

目的研究活动性肺结核患者外周血单个核细胞(PBMCs)Blimp-1的表达及临床意义。方法采集31例活动期肺结核患者和45位健康对照组外周血,纯化PBMCs,用结核分枝杆菌ESAT-6和CFP-10混合性抗原肽库刺激,通过细胞表面标记和细胞内细胞因子染色技术,采用流式技术检测CD+4、CD+8T细胞Blimp-1的表达。结果与对照组比较,肺结核患者PBMCs中的CD+4、CD+8T细胞亚群分布出现显著性下降,且肺结核患者CD+4T细胞中Blimp-1的表达比例(%)下降(肺结核组89.5%(83.8%,95.7%),对照组94.5%(89.8%,98.7%),P0.05),且CD+4、CD+8T细胞中Blimp-1的表达量(平均荧光强度)也显著性下降(CD+4T细胞:肺结核组9.28(7.5,18.9),对照组15.4(11,25.4),P0.05);CD+8T细胞:肺结核组9.01(6.08,14.7),对照组14.2(9.53,23.1),P0.05)。结论活动期肺结核CD+4、CD+8T细胞群内Blimp-1的表达下降可能会使效应性和调节性T细胞的分化出现异常。Blimp-1可能参与结核病的疾病进程,这为研究结核病的诊断和治疗提供了线索。     

Detection of intracellular IFN‐γ and IL‐4 cytokines in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the peripheral blood of dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum

Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a systemic zoonotic disease the clinical manifestations of which can range from self‐healing cutaneous lesions to disseminated visceral disease. Effective activation of cellular immunity is the cornerstone of resistance against Leishmania infantum in infected dogs. The aim of this cross‐sectional, controlled study was the intracellular detection of interleukin 4 (IL‐4) and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) in CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of 40 dogs naturally infected with L. infantum by applying flow cytometry. The percentage of CD4+IL‐4+ and CD8+IL‐4+ lymphocytes (with or without immunostimulation) was low in the clinically healthy and subclinically infected dogs in contrast to clinically affected ones. In the same groups of dogs, the percentage of CD4+IFN‐γ+ and CD8+IFN‐γ+ T cells in their resting phase and following specific immunostimulation with Leishmania soluble antigen (LSA) was also low. CD4+IL‐4+ and CD8+IL‐4+ T cell percentage was higher in sick compared to clinically healthy and subclinically infected dogs, after immunostimulation. The corresponding figure of CD8+IL‐4+ cells in sick dogs after LSA immunostimulation was also increased thus underlining the important role these cells may play in humoral immunity and perhaps the progression of CanL.     

增龄对人体外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节T细胞、CD4+T细胞及细胞因子表达的影响

目的探讨增龄对人体外周血CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺调节T细胞(CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺Treg)、CD4⁺T细胞及细胞因子表达的影响。方法选择青年人(20~45岁)、中老年人(50~75岁)及高龄老年人(≥80岁)各40例,分别检测3组外周血CD4⁺T、CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺Treg的绝对计数,并计算后者占前者的百分比,同时检测并比较3组人群外周血IL-2、干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)、TNF-α、IL-10和IL-17水平。结果高龄老年组CD4⁺T细胞绝对计数较中老年组与青年组显著下降(P<0.05);高龄老年组和中老年组外周血CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺Treg绝对计数均明显高于青年组(P<0.05);中老年组CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺Treg占CD4⁺T细胞百分比明显高于青年组,高龄老年组明显高于中老年组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。高龄老年组IL-2、IFN-γ和IL-17水平明显低于青年组和中老年组(P<0.05),中老年组IL-2明显低于青年组(P<0.05),高龄老年组IL-10水平明显高于青年组和中老年组(P<0.05),3组TNF-α水平差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论中老年以后人体外周血CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺Treg绝对计数明显增高,随着增龄,其占CD4⁺T细胞百分比逐渐升高。高龄老年人外周血CD4⁺T细胞绝对计数、IL-2、IFN-γ和IL-17水平明显下降,IL-10水平明显增高,说明老年人免疫功能进一步下降,衰老的微环境发生了改变。     

Cytokine activity after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, V. Analysis of IL-2 and IFN production by isolated CD4+ and CD8+ cells

Summary. Previous studies from this laboratory have shown that PBMC from recipients of an HLA-identical sibling bone marrow transplant produce levels of IL-2 which are 10–100-fold lower than those produced by the same number of PBMC from healthy controls, whereas production of IFN-γ is normal. The present study examined IL-2 and IFN production over a range of cell numbers for PBMC and for isolated CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells for controls and marrow transplant recipients. There was a 5-fold lower IL-2 production in marrow transplant recipient CD8⁺ cells compared with equivalent numbers of control cells, whereas no difference was found in IL-2 production by CD4⁺ cells. In contrast, IFN production by CD4⁺ cells from marrow transplant recipients was 4-fold higher than in controls, whereas CD8⁺ cells from both populations produced similar amounts of IFN. When the observed production of cytokine by PBMC was compared with the expected production based on the CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ content of the PBMC, control values were similar, but the expected values for both cytokines were approximately 2-fold higher than the observed values for marrow transplant recipients. The results suggest that the capacity of T cells from marrow transplant recipients to produce IL-2 and IFN is not impaired, but that the frequency of cytokine-producing cells may be reduced, and that a negative interaction present in recipient PBMC, eliminated by isolating T-cell subsets, is responsible for the observed low levels of cytokine production.     

Induction of CD4+CD8+ double positive T cells and increase in CD5+ B cells in efferent lymph in sheep infected with Trypanosoma evansi

The effects of Trypanosoma evansi on efferent lymphocyte phenotypes draining from a lymph node primed with Pasteurella haemolytica vaccine were studied in sheep. The prefemoral efferent lymphatic ducts of the infected sheep along with those of two uninfected sheep were surgically cannulated. Lymph was collected and lymphocytes recovered from it analysed by two-colour indirect immunofluorescence staining and cytofluoremetry in a fluorescence activated cell analyser (FACSCAN). The study showed the appearance and persistence of T. evansi in the efferent lymph for a long period of time and the appearance of CD4⁺CD8⁺ (double positive, DP) T lymphocytes in the efferent lymph of infected animals. The infection also resulted in increases in CD5⁺ B cells in the prefemoral efferent lymph. In addition, there were decreases in the output of conventional B cells, CD5⁺ and CD4⁺ T cell subsets but large increases in CD8⁺ cells followed by terminal depletion of all cell subsets. In contrast, inoculation of sheep with pasteurella vaccine antigen alone produced little alterations in the proportions, but large increases in the numbers of all T cell subsets except that of CD8⁺ cells which also showed little variation; and there was a concurrent increase in the numbers and proportions of efferent B cells. In addition, the abnormal expression of DP and CD5⁺ B cells did not occur in the uninfected vaccinated sheep. It is concluded that these abnormal changes in the kinetics of efferent lymphocyte phenotypes are likely to play a role in the genesis of the generalized immunosuppression seen in trypanosome-infected hosts.     

Frequencies of circulating IL-17-producing CD4+CD161+ T cells and CD4+CD161+ T cells correlate with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Objective. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease that is primarily driven by effector T cells, particularly Th17 cells, which are mainly contained within CD4+CD161+ T cells. Thus, we aimed to explore whether the frequencies of circulating IL-17-producing CD4+CD161+ T cells and CD4+CD161+ T cells were correlated with RA disease activity.

Methods. The surface phenotype and cytokine production of blood were analyzed by flow cytometry in 52 RA patients and 17 healthy controls. The disease activity was evaluated by the 28-joint disease activity score.

Results. The frequencies of circulating IL-17-producing CD4+CD161+ T cells and CD4+CD161+ T cells were increased in RA patients, and they were elevated in patients with active disease status compared to patients with low disease status. Furthermore, their frequencies were positively correlated with disease activity parameters. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that IL-17-producing CD4+CD161+ T cell levels were able to distinguish disease activity with 60.7 % sensitivity and 87.5 % specificity, while CD4+CD161+ T cell levels showed 92.9 % sensitivity and 66.7 % specificity.

Conclusion. These results support the hypothesis that Th17 cells are involved in the pathogenesis of RA and suggest that circulating CD4+CD161+ T cells are a potential biomarker of RA disease activity.