Functional role of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and transforming growth factor-beta1 in childhood immune thrombocytopenic purpura

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are critical in maintaining self tolerance and preventing organ specific autoimmune diseases. Their role in childhood immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), an immune disorder in which the production of platelet autoantibodies might be caused by cytokine network dysregulation, has not been clearly defined. Transforming Growth Factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) has been suggested to mediate Tregs suppressive function. The aim of this study was to assess cell populations of CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells as well as mRNA expression of TGF-beta1 level in peripheral blood of children with ITP and evaluate their possible role in prediction of disease severity and response to therapy. Thirty-three children with ITP (13 acute and 20 chronic cases) and 10 healthy controls were studied. CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells were assessed in peripheral blood by flowcytometry. Expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA was examined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay. The frequency of CD4+CD25+ Tregs was significantly decreased in acute and chronic ITP patients as compared to controls. Acute ITP patients had significantly lower percentage of Tregs compared with chronic ITP patients. Higher frequency of CD4+CD25+ Tregs was detected in chronic ITP patients with platelet count >100 x 10(9)/L compared with patients with platelet count <100 x 10(9)/L and in steroid responsive patients compared with steroid resistant patients. The expression of mRNA TGF-beta1 level was significantly lower in acute and chronic ITP patients compared with controls and in chronic ITP patients with pltc <100 x 10(9)/L in comparison with patients with pltc > 100 x l0(9)/L. A significant positive correlation was found between percentage of CD4+CD25+ Tregs and mRNA expression of TGF-beta1 in chronic ITP patients. In conclusion, immune regulation of TGF-beta1 by Tregs may play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of childhood immune thrombocytopenic purpura. This might form a base for future specific immunomodulatory therapies for ITP.     

Liver-targeted and peripheral blood alterations of regulatory T cells in primary biliary cirrhosis

CD4+CD25high regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a critical role in self-tolerance, as seen in murine autoimmunity. Studies on Tregs in human autoimmunity have focused primarily on peripheral blood samples. A study targeting diseased tissue should identify direct relationships between Tregs and autoimmunity. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 91 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), 28 immediate relatives, and 41 healthy controls, and Treg frequencies were determined as a percentage of CD4+CD25high T cells in CD4+TCR-alphabeta+ T cells. A tissue-targeted determination of frequency and distribution of FoxP3+ Tregs was also performed on 90 different liver tissue specimens exhibiting PBC (n = 52), chronic hepatitis C (CHC) (n = 30), and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) (n = 8). Treg suppression studies were performed on 50 PBC patients and 27 controls. Patients with PBC demonstrated a relative reduction of Tregs compared with controls (P < .0002). Interestingly, a deficiency in CD4+CD25+ Tregs was also found in the daughters and sisters of PBC patients compared with controls (P < .0007). However, functional studies did not reveal a global PBC Treg defect. The level of FoxP3-expressing Tregs was markedly lower in affected PBC portal tracts compared with CHC and AIH (P < .001). In addition, the CD8+T cell/FoxP3+ Treg ratio was significantly higher in livers of late-stage PBC compared with those of CHC (P < .001) and early-stage AIH (P < .001). In conclusion, these data provide support for a genetic modulation of Treg frequency and illustrate the role Tregs play in the loss of tolerance in PBC.     

PET2‐driven de‐escalation therapy in 64 high‐risk Hodgkin Lymphoma patients treated with escalated BEACOPP

Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder. Interleukin‐35 (IL35) can suppress T cell proliferation and elicit the development of inducible regulatory T cells (Tregs). Previous studies have shown decreased plasma IL35 levels and dysfunctional T cells in patients with ITP. In this study, we determined whether decreased IL35 levels correlate with T cell dysfunction in ITP patients. Plasma IL35 levels were found to be lower in ITP patients than in healthy controls, were positively correlated with platelet levels and the percentage of peripheral circulating Tregs, and negatively correlated with the levels of T helper‐1 cells in ITP patients. We also evaluated the effects of IL35 on cytokines contributing to T cell proliferation. IL35 promoted the secretion of interleukin 10 (IL10) and transforming growth factor–β1 but reduced the levels of interferon‐γ and IL17A (also termed IL17). Moreover, IL35 inhibited the proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells but induced the differentiation and proliferation of Tregs in ITP. In summary, IL35 appears to contribute to the loss of immunological self‐tolerance in ITP patients by modulating T cells and immunoregulatory cytokines.     

Severe immune dysregulation affects CD4(+)CD25(hi)FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells in HIV-infected patients with low-level CD4 T-cell repopulation despite suppressive highly active antiretroviral therapy

We hypothesized that CD4(+)CD25(hi)FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) could be involved in the high immune activation existing in patients with low-level CD4 T-cell repopulation under suppressive high active antiretroviral therapy (hereafter, "LLR patients"). Sixteen LLR patients, 18 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected controls (hereafter, "HIV controls"), and 16 healthy subjects were included. The frequency of CD4(+)CD25(hi)FoxP3(+) and HIV-specific Treg suppressive function were assessed. Relationships between Treg and CD4/CD8 activation (HLA-DR/CD38) and the frequency of naive CD4 T-cells were assessed. Low-level patients showed a higher Treg frequency but reduced HIV-specific immunosuppressive functions than HIV controls. Whereas in healthy subjects a strong negative correlation between Tregs and activated CD8 T cells emerged (r?=?-0.75, P?相似文献   

原发性肝细胞癌患者CD4+CD25+调节性T淋巴细胞的频率、表型及功能

目的探讨CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T淋巴细胞（CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg）在HCC患者外周血及肿瘤组织中的频率、抑制功能及临床意义。方法收集18例原发性HCC患者的PBMC、肝癌组织及相应的癌旁组织标本,以及10例CHB患者和15名健康对照的外周血标本,以三色与四色流式分析法分析PBMC以及肿瘤浸润的淋巴细胞中CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg的频率及表型,并同时分析其与HBV持续感染、肿瘤TNM分期和其他临床指标的关系,用BrdU掺入法评价CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg的免疫抑制功能。结果与健康对照组相比HCC患者、慢性HBV感染者外周血中CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg频率明显上升（P＜0．01）,且HCC患者肿瘤浸润的淋巴细胞中CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg的频率也明显上调（P＜0．01）;随着肿瘤的进展HCC患者外周血中CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg呈上升趋势（P＜0．05）; HCC患者CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg可非特异性地抑制自身活化的CD4^＋CD25^- T淋巴细胞,并呈剂量依赖性,且抑制能力与健康对照组相比差异无统计学意义。结论HCC患者外周血中及肿瘤组织中CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg的频率升高,增多的CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg可能参与抑制抗HCC的免疫应答,从而使肝癌细胞逃脱机体的“免疫监视”作用。     

Regulatory T-Cell Function Is Impaired in Celiac Disease

Celiac disease (CD) is characterized by intolerance to gluten and high risk of developing autoimmune phenomena. Possible defects in immune tolerance could have a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. As regulatory T-cells (Tregs) are the main population involved in maintaining peripheral tolerance, we investigated the number of these cells in celiac patients as compared with healthy donors. Moreover, we analyzed the suppressive function of CD4+CD25+ T-cells from celiac disease patients and controls on autologous responder T-cells (CD4+CD25−). The percentage of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ cells was not different in celiacs and in healthy controls, and among positive cells the level of expression of the two regulatory markers was comparable. However, the suppressor activity of Tregs was significantly impaired in CD patients. These results suggest that a defect in Tregs function could play a role in the pathogenesis of CD and in CD-associated autoimmunity.     

原发性胆汁性肝硬化患者外周血单个核细胞Toll样受体表达与调节性T细胞相关性分析

目的 探讨原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)患者外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)Toll样受体2、4、9(TLR2,TLR4,TLR9)表达及PBMC中CD4+ CD25+调节性T细胞(Tregs)特点和影响因素.方法 采用流式细胞术检测PBC患者(52例)和健康对照者(22例)外周血PBMC中TLR2、4、9阳性细胞及Tregs比例,比较其在PBC患者和健康对照者中的差别并分析TLR与Tregs相关性.结果 PBC患者Tregs比例低于健康对照者[(1.53+1.33)vs(4.42±1.43),P＜0.0001],TLR4阳性细胞比例高于健康对照者[(36.95±3.53)vs(32.84±8.06),P=0.003];PBC患者Tregs比例与TLR9阳性细胞比例呈负相关(R2 =0.115,P=0.016),健康对照者Tregs比例与TLR2,4和TLR2,4,9联合表达阳性细胞比例呈负相关(R2=0.326,P=0.007;R2 =0.226,P=0.034).结论 PBC患者外周血PBMC中Tregs比例降低,TLR4表达升高,可能受肝硬化失代偿期腹腔感染的影响.     

Frequency of CD39+, LAG3+, and CTLA4+ Regulatory T Cells in Two Different Immunosuppressive Protocols in Renal Allograft Recipients (Sirolimus vs Mycophenolate mofetil): A Cohort Report

Background: Impaired renal function is considered as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular events in chronic kidney disease patients. Several immunosuppressive drugs are used in these patients, which necessitates to minimize the drug-related side effects by employing alternative strategies.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate prospectively the influence of low dose ATG induction therapy with two different protocols (Sirolimus versus Mycophenolate mofetil) on the expression of functional markers (LAG-3, CD39, and intracellular CTLA-4) on conventional Tregs in renal recipients.Methods: Thirty-eight renal transplant recipients were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomly assigned into two groups, including TMP: Tacrolimus (Tac), Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and Prednisolone (n=23); and TSP: Tac, Sirolimus (SRL), and Prednisolone (n=15). The frequency of LAG-3, CD39, and intracellular CTLA-4 on circulating Tregs was analyzed by flow cytometry before and after transplantation.Results: Analysis of the flow cytometry data showed that the frequency of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Tregs increased 4 months post-transplantation compared to pre-transplantation in both groups, although this increase was only significant in TMP group. In TMP treated patients, the frequency of LAG-3+ Tregs and CD39+ Tregs increased, whereas the frequency of intracellular CTLA-4+ Tregs decreased 4 months post-transplantation. In TSP group, while the frequency of CD39+ Tregs increased, the frequency of CTLA-4+ Tregs decreased in post-transplantation compared to pre-transplantation.Conclusions: it seems that both treatment regimen protocols with a low dose ATG induction therapy may be clinically applicable in kidney transplant recipients.     

Quantification of regulatory T cells in peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are supposed to stop immune responses in the course of immune activation. However, chronic activation of immune system in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and many other autoreactive disorders are evidence of malfunction of this system. Therefore, it is plausible to quantify presence of these cells in different diseases. Forty-one patients with diagnosis of SLE were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two groups of patients with active and inactive disease based on the disease activity score. Flow cytometry analysis was used to determine the frequency of regulatory T cells in peripheral blood according to high expression of CD25 and intracellular Forkhead/winged-helix (Foxp3). Further 30 healthy individuals considered as control group. Significantly less CD4+CD25hi regulatory T cells were detected in active patients (P < 0.001) compared to healthy individuals. The percentage of CD4+CD25hi cells were inversely correlated with the SLEDAI disease score in patients with active disease (r = −0.837, P < 0.0001). Patients with active disease had lower frequencies of CD4+Foxp3+ cells. However, increased frequencies of CD4+Foxp3+ T cells were observed in peripheral blood of patients with inactive disease compared with active patients or healthy individuals (P < 0.010). Moreover, a significant difference between the proportion of CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ population in healthy controls and patients with active disease was shown (P < 0.0005). Presence of lower frequencies of Tregs in patients with SLE could be evaluated as an immune turbulence and could be employed as a target for immunotherapeutic manipulation. However, controversies need to be resolved.     

Resting and Activated Natural Tregs Decrease in the Peripheral Blood of Patients with Atherosclerosis

Background: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting large and medium arteries. CD4+ T cells are known to play a role in the progression of the disease. CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ natural Treg (nTreg) cells seem to have a protective role in the disease and their reduction in acute coronary syndrome is recently shown. Objective: To investigate the frequency of nTreg subsets in the peripheral blood of patients with atherosclerosis. Methods: Confirmation of atherosclerosis was done by angiography and 15 ml heparinized blood was obtained from each of the 13 nondiabetic patients and 13 non-diabetic, non-smoker individuals with normal/insignificant coronary artery disease which was also confirmed by angiography. Lipid profiles of the patients and controls were measured at the time of sampling. Mononuclear cells were used for both RNA extraction and immunophenotyping by real-time PCR and flowcytometry techniques, respectively. Results: In natural Treg subsets, the frequency of CD4+CD45RO-CD25+Foxp3lo T-cells (resting nTregs) was greater in controls than patients (p=0.02). The frequency of CD4+CD45RO+CD25hiFoxp3hi T-cells (activated nTregs) was significantly higher in controls compared with patients (p=0.02). However, the frequency of CD4+CD25+CD45RO+Foxp3- T-cells (effector/memory) increased in patients compared with controls (p=0.01). Both the MFI and gene expression of Foxp3 were higher in control group than in patients (p=0.015 and p=0.017, respectively). Moreover, the TGF-β gene expression showed a decrease in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients compared with controls (p=0.03). Conclusion: Decrease in both subsets of resting and activated nTregs along with a decrease in the expression of Foxp3 and TGF-β genes in patients with atherosclerosis suggests phenotypic changes in these subsets, which may as well be correlated with a more inflammatory profile in their lymphocytes.     

Immune dysregulation in primary immune thrombocytopenia patients

Objectives: To explore the immunological abnormalities in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), and analyze its relationship with treatment.

Methods: Proportion of different immune cell subsets were detected in the peripheral blood of 124 ITP patients at different time points and 45 normal controls by flow cytometry. The treatments included glucocorticoids, intravenous IgG as first-line treatment and second-line drugs.

Results: Elevated CD4/CD8 ratio and decreased the proportion of NK and CD4?+?CD25?+?CD127low regulatory T cells (Tregs) were found in pre-treated ITP patients than healthy controls. The newly diagnosed group had a significantly higher CD4/CD8 ratio than the relapsed group, but no differences in the proportion of B cells, NK cells and Tregs. No relationships were found between the curative effect and the pre-treated cell subsets within both the effective and ineffective groups. Furthermore, compared with the ineffective group, the effective group had higher Tregs and lower CD4/CD8 ratio post-treatment, but no significant differences in NK and B cells.

Conclusion: ITP patients presented with a high CD4/CD8 ratio and low levels of Tregs and NK cells, suggesting that immune deregulation was involved in the pathogenesis of ITP. The pre-treated immune status of ITP patients may not be related to the curative effect. Tregs significantly increased in the effective group post-treatment, highlighting that the mechanism of restoring Tregs may be involved in the treatment of ITP. However, whether or not the targeted regulation of Tregs is an effective treatment for ITP still requires further studies.     

Relationship of frequency of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells with disease progression in antiretroviral-naive HIV-1 infected Chinese

Forty-five antiretroviral-naive HIV-1 infected patients and 14 healthy controls in North China were enrolled in this study. The frequency of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) and levels of expression of CD95, HLA-DR and CD38 in T cells were detected by flow cytometry. We found that the frequency of Tregs was higher in AIDS patients than in asymptomatic HIV-1 infected patients (P=0.004). The frequency of Tregs was significantly correlated with absolute CD4 count, viral load, CD4+CD95+ T cells and CD8+CD95+ T cells (P<0.05). The relationship between the frequency of Tregs and immune activation was not found in HIV-infected patients. We concluded that the frequency of Tregs in HIV-infected Chinese patients was significantly correlated with disease progression.     

B cells expressing CD5 antigen are markedly increased in peripheral blood and spleen lymphocytes from patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura

By two-colour flow cytometric analysis, we examined the proportion of B lymphocytes bearing CD5 cell surface antigen (CD 5+ B cells), which are capable of producing autoantibodies, both in peripheral blood and spleen from patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The percentage of CD5+ B cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) was significantly increased (P less than 0.005) in patients with ITP (3.7 +/- 2.2%, n = 30) as compared with normal controls (1.7 +/- 0.7%, n = 28). However, there was no correlation between the percentages of circulating CD5+ B cells and platelet counts. The percentage of splenic CD5+ B cells in ITP patients was much more increased (9.0 +/- 4.5%, n = 9), P less than 0.005) compared with that of other disorders (3.2 +/- 0.5%, n = 5). Furthermore, isolated splenic CD5+ B cells from two out of five ITP patients produced high levels of IgM-type, platelet-bindable antibodies (PBIgM) after stimulation with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC), while CD5- B cells isolated from the same spleen or splenic CD5+ B cells from other non-autoimmune disorders failed to produce significant amount of PBIgM. In three ITP patients, no increase in PBIgM was detected despite SAC stimulation. The increased proportion of CD5+ B cells in peripheral blood and spleen, and their ability to produce anti-platelet antibodies indicate that they are directly involved in the autoimmune pathogenesis in ITP.     

Elevated frequency and function of regulatory T cells in patients with active chronic hepatitis C

Background

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a pivotal role in the persistence of hepatitis C virus infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and function of Tregs in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

Methods

We enrolled 44 CHC patients with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (CH group), 13 CHC patients with persistent normal ALT levels (PNALT group), and 14 age-matched healthy subjects (HS group; controls). Tregs were identified as CD4+, CD25+, and forkhead box P3 (Foxp3)+ T lymphocytes, using three-color fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). The frequency of Tregs was determined by calculating the percentage of CD4+CD25^high T cells among CD4 T cells. CD127 and CD45RA were also analyzed for subsets of Tregs. The levels of serum transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and interleukin (IL)-10 in immunosuppressive assays were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The immunosuppressive abilities of Tregs were evaluated by measuring their ability to inhibit the proliferation of effector cells.

Results

Higher proportions of Tregs were found in the CH and PNALT groups compared with the HS group. The populations of CD127 low/negative and CD45RA negative cells were higher in the CH group than in the PNALT group. The expressions of IL-10 and TGF-β in the CH and PNALT groups were significantly higher than those in the HS group. In addition, the immunosuppressive ability of Tregs from the CH group was increased relative to that in the PNALT and the HS group.

Conclusions

CHC patients, irrespective of liver function, had higher frequencies of Tregs than healthy subjects; however, only CHC patients with inflammation showed enhanced immunosuppressive function of Tregs.     

Imbalance between Subpopulations of Regulatory T Cells in Patients with Acute Exacerbation of COPD

Human regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been reported to be not significantly different in the peripheral blood of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and healthy controls. Recent research has identified some new markers for Tregs and indicated that Tregs are composed of distinct subpopulations. The aim of the study was to describe the changing patterns of circulating Treg subpopulations in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) and healthy controls, and to explore their potential roles in AECOPD pathogenesis. Blood samples were obtained from 30 never-smokers with normal lung function and 30 patients with COPD before and after they had an exacerbation. The proportions of Treg subpopulations were evaluated using flow cytometry. In the peripheral blood, decreased proportions of CD4⁺CD25⁺CD127^low Tregs, CD4⁺CD25⁺CD45RA⁺ Tregs, and CD4⁺CD25⁺CD62L⁺ Tregs and an increased proportion of CD4⁺CD25⁺CD45RO⁺ Tregs were found in patients with stable COPD compared with non-smokers with normal lung function. The patients showed further changes in Treg subpopulations when they had an AECOPD, with an overall decrease in a suppressive subset, indicating that the immune negative regulatory population of Tregs did not play an effective role. Immune homeostasis favored inflammation, and a negative correlation between the circulating tumor necrosis factor-alpha and the proportions of CD4⁺CD25⁺CD62L⁺ cells (r = ?0.698, p < 0.05) in patients with AECOPD was found. The imbalance between the suppressive subsets and the proinflammatory subset of Tregs and the decline of Treg subpopulations with immunosuppressive activity may play important roles in AECOPD progression.     

Expansion of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Regulatory T Cells in Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Background: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been involved in impaired immunity and may have a pivotal role in persistence of viral infections. Objective: To develop a simple and reliable in-house three color flow cytometery of peripheral blood to understand the role of HCV infection in the increase of Tregs. Methods: The level of naturally occurring CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (nTregs) in 20 chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients was compared to those of 15 healthy individuals by flowcytometry. In a different approach we performed permeabilization and intracellular staining before surface staining which allows the preservation of the surface molecules in the combined detection process and results in the normal frequency of nTregs in blood. Results: Using the optimized method, it was shown that a significantly higher proportion of nTregs in the total CD4+ T cell population was seen in the peripheral blood of chronic HCV patients (0.83 ± 0.21%, p=0.05) as compared to controls (0.26 ± 0.1, p=0.05). Conclusions: In accordance with other studies, we showed that HCV infection induces a dramatic increase in Tregs, which might contribute to the immune response failure during HCV infection.     

Parallel decline of CD8＋CD38＋ lymphocytes and viremia in treated hepatitis B patients

AIM:To assess the peripheral T lymphocyte subsets in chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection,and their dynamics in response to adefovir dipivoxil monotherapy.METHODS:Proportions and absolute counts of peripheral natural killer cells,B cells,CD8+,CD4+,CD8+ CD38+,CD8+CD28+ and CD4+CD28+ T cells were determined using three-color flow cytometry in chronic hepatitis B patients(n = 35),HBV carriers(n = 25) and healthy controls(n = 35).Adefovir dipivoxil was initiated in 17 chronic hepatitis B patients who were r...     

Analysis of regulatory T-cell changes in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura receiving B cell-depleting therapy with rituximab

The effects of B-cell depletion with rituximab on regulatory T cells (Tregs) have not been determined. We investigated Tregs in patients receiving rituximab for chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The peripheral blood Tregs, identified as CD4+FOXP3+ T cells, were measured by flow cytometry prior to and after the immunotherapy. In addition, Tregs were analyzed for their usage of the T-cell receptor (TCR) beta-variable (VB) region gene as well as their regulatory function as assessed by cell proliferation assays. Pretreatment data revealed a reduced number and a defective suppressive capacity of Tregs in ITP patients compared with control individuals. In addition, Tregs showed a polyclonal spectratype. Patients, particularly responders, showed restored numbers of Tregs as well as a restored regulatory function upon treatment with rituximab. These results indicate that patients with active ITP have a defective T regulatory cell compartment that can be modulated by a B cell-targeted therapy.     

Impaired regulatory T cell reconstitution in patients with acute graft-versus-host disease and cytomegalovirus infection after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

To elucidate the correlation between regulatory T cells (Tregs) and acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) or cytomegalovirus infection following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT), we evaluated either CD4?CD25(high) or FOXP3? Treg-enriched cells in peripheral blood (PB) from 20 patients who received allo-BMT, and in biopsies of skin with aGVHD. Proportions of CD4?CD25(high)FOXP3? cells in total lymphocytes, but not other types of T cells, were lower in patients who eventually developed grades II-IV aGVHD (n = 13) than in others (n = 7, P < 0.001). Proportions of CD62L? cells in CD4?CD25(high) cells at day +30 were lower (P < 0.01) in patients who eventually showed cytomegalovirus viremia (n = 6) than in others (n = 14). Incidence of aGVHD (P < 0.05) or cytomegalovirus viremia (P < 0.05) was higher in patients without these complications, but with lower proportions of PB CD4?CD25(high)FOXP3? cells at day +30 (n = 8) than in others (n = 8). However, in skin with aGVHD (n = 5), there was marked or slightly increased infiltration of CD8? cells (P < 0.001) or CD3?FOXP3? cells (P < 0.05), respectively, when compared with control (n = 5), resulting in threefold higher ratio of CD8?/CD3?FOXP3? cells in aGVHD relative to controls (P < 0.05). Thus, impaired reconstitution of Tregs may be associated with aGVHD and CMV infection. Moreover, imbalance of Tregs and CD8? cells may play a role in aGVHD tissue.     

免疫性血小板减少性紫癜35例患者外周血免疫细胞亚群的检测及其临床意义

目的 探讨免疫细胞亚群的变化在免疫性血小板减少性紫癜(ITP)发病机制中的作用及其临床意义.方法 应用流式细胞术检测35例ITP患者治疗前、后及20例正常对照者免疫细胞亚群各指标的变化,包括CD3+、CD4+、CD8+、CD56+、CD19+淋巴细胞及CD4+/CD8+比值.结果 ITP患者CD3+ T淋巴细胞百分比(61.58±6.45)%、CD4+ T淋巴细胞百分比(28.38±4.89)%、CD4+/CD8+比值(0.99±0.22)较对照组[(67.85±4.68)%、(38.00±3.37)%、1.54±0.13]均减低(P值均＜0.05),治疗后3项指标[(69.41±5.03)%、(38.17±3.18)%、1.60±0.15]均升高至正常水平;CD8+ T淋巴细胞百分比(29.20±4.50)%及CD19+ B淋巴细胞百分比(17.74±4.14)%较对照组[(24.82±2.93)%、(12.09±3.51)%]升高(P值均＜0.05),治疗后2项指标[(24.06±3.02)%、(10.90±3.55)%]均降至正常水平;ITP患者CD56+细胞百分比治疗前(15.80±2.85)%、治疗后(15.16±2.77)%与对照组(16.36±2.75)%差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 免疫细胞亚群紊乱参与了ITP的发病,对其检测可作为ITP的辅助诊断,在指导治疗方面可能有一定的意义.

Abstract：

Objective To explore the clinical significance of immunocyte subsets before and after immunosuppressive therapy in the peripheral blood of patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).MethodsThe percentages of immunocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of 35 patients with ITP and 20 healthy controls were detected by flow cytometry,including CD3+,CD4+,CD8+,CD56+,CD19+ lymphocytes and CD4+/CD8+.Results The percentages of CD3+ T lymphocyte (61.58 ± 6.45 ) %,CD4+ T lymphocyte (28.38 ±4.89)% and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ 0.99 0.22 in patients with ITP were lower than those in healthy controls[( 67.85 ± 4.68 ) %,( 38.00 ± 3.37 ) %,1.54 ± 0.13,all P ＜ 0.05].After immunosuppressive therapy,the percentages of CD3+ T lymphocyte ( 69.41 ± 5.03 ) %,CD4+ T lymphocyte (38.17 ±3.18)% and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ 1.60 ±0.15 recovered to control levels.The percentages of CD8+ T lymphocyte (29.20 ±4.50)% and CD19+B lymphocyte ( 17.74 ±4.14)% were higher than those in healthy controls[( 24.82 ± 2.93 ) % and ( 12.09 ± 3.51 ) %,all P ＜ 0.05].After the immunosuppressive therapy,the percentages of CD8+ T lymphocyte ( 24.06 ± 3.02 ) % and CD19+ B lymphocyte ( 10.90 ± 3.55 ) %recovered to control levels.There were no significant difference of the percentage of CD56+ lymphocyte among ITP patients ( 15.80 ± 2.85 )%,ITP patients after immunosuppressive therapy ( 15.16 ± 2.77 )% and healthy controls ( 16.36 ± 2.75 ) %.ConclusionThe aberrant immunocyte subsets are involved in the pathogenesis of ITP,and detection of immunocyte subsets might be helpful for the diagnosis and determination of therapeutic outcome of ITP.