T helper 1 (Th1)/Th2 cytokine expression shift of peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in patients at the post-acute phase of stroke

Local humoral and cellular immune responses modulate the inflammatory processes involved in the development of atherosclerotic lesions, as well as in the evolution of brain infarcts in stroke patients. The role of systemic adaptive immunity on the progression of such disease manifestations is less clear. In the current study, we evaluated the percentages of T helper 1 (Th1) [interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-gamma] and Th2 (IL-4, IL-10) cytokine-producing peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in 23 patients with a history of ischaemic stroke (IS) at the chronic stable phase of the disease (median post-stroke time 34.5 months). Seven stroke-free individuals matched for age and vascular risk factors (matched controls, MC) were collected for comparison. To measure cytokine values at baseline and after stimulation, we used a flow cytometry method of intracellular cytokine staining. Intrinsic Th1 and Th2 cytokine production in unstimulated T cells was negligible in all study participants. Following mitogenic stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate13-acetate/ionomycin, both the IS and the MC groups exhibited a similarly strong Th1 response; IL-2 production predominated in the CD4+ T cells and IFN-gamma in the CD8+ T cells. However, when measuring the Th2 cytokine-production capacity post-stimulation, a significant increase in the percentage of IL-4-producing T cells was observed in the IS groups, compared with the MC group, resulting in a significantly lower ratio of IFN-gamma-/IL-4-producing T cells. No such Th2 enhancement could be confirmed for the case of IL-10. We propose that in IS patients there is a systemic shift of the immune system towards Th2 responses at the late post-acute phase of stroke.     

Effects of inhaled ciclesonide on circulating T-helper type 1/T-helper type 2 cells in atopic asthmatics after allergen challenge

BACKGROUND: The predominance of T-helper type 2 (Th2) lymphocytes is thought to underlie the pathogenesis of asthma. Allergen inhalation challenge in atopic asthmatic subjects is associated with decreased interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) positive CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in peripheral blood and induced sputum. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effects of an inhaled corticosteroid on these previously described allergen-induced changes in circulating Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes. METHODS: Subjects were randomized to 7 days of placebo, 40 or 80 micro g ciclesonide in a crossover study. Airway responses and peripheral blood were measured before and after treatment, and 24 h after allergen challenge. RESULTS: Ciclesonide 40 and 80 micro g significantly attenuated the late response and sputum eosinophils at 8 h post-allergen (P<0.05). Circulating IFN-gamma positive CD4+ lymphocytes decreased after allergen challenge with placebo (P<0.05), and this was inhibited by 40 micro g ciclesonide treatment (P<0.05). There was no effect of allergen inhalation or ciclesonide on IL-4-positive CD4+ lymphocytes or IFN-gamma and IL-4-positive CD8(high) lymphocytes. The allergen-induced change of IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio on CD4+ cells correlated with the allergen-induced change of peripheral blood eosinophils. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that attenuation of allergen-induced airway responses by ciclesonide may be mediated through regulation of IFN-gamma-positive CD4+ cells.     

恶性肿瘤患者CD4+CD25+/CD4+CD25high调节性T细胞的研究

目的：探讨恶性肿瘤患者外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋/CD4^＋CD25^high调节性T细胞（Regulatory T cell，Treg）水平的特点及其临床意义。方法：采用流式细胞术检测Treg水平，并进行分层分析。结果：62例恶性肿瘤患者外周血中CD4^＋CD25^＋/CD4^＋CD25^high Treg占T细胞的百分比分别为19.61%±8.17%和4.20%±1.90%，高于正常对照组（分别为P〈0.05和P〈0.001），它们与NK细胞呈负相关（r分别为-0.2361和-0.306）。随疾病进展，CD4^＋ CD25^＋Treg水平升高，肿瘤进展期（IV期）与前3期比较有极显著差异（P〈0.001）。CD4^＋CD25^high Treg占CD4＋T细胞的百分比率逐渐升高，中期（Ⅲ期）患者与早期患者、正常对照组比较有极显著差异（P〈0.001）；晚期患者与中期患者比较有极显著差异（P〈0.001）。结论：恶性肿瘤患者外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋/CD4^＋CD25^high Treg水平的升高，与恶性肿瘤免疫功能低下及肿瘤的发生发展密切相关。     

急性淋巴细胞白血病患者CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞水平变化

目的 观察急性淋巴细胞白血病(ALL)患者外周血中CD4+ CD25+调节性T细胞(Treg)的变化,探讨其临床意义.方法 收集47例ALL初诊患者组、13例经化疗完全缓解组、9例未缓解组及20例健康对照组抗凝血,采用流式细胞仪检测CD4+ CD25+ Treg的水平.结果 CD4+ CD25+ Treg比例在ALL初...     

Interleukin-4, interferon-gamma and interleukin-5 in peripheral blood of children with moderate atopic asthma

Background In asthmatic inflammation, TH2 cells play an important role. TH₂ cells specifically secrete cytokines like IL-4 and IL-5. IL-4 stimulates IgE production and IL-5 is involved in hemopoiesis, chemotaxis, priming and activation of eosinophils. IFNγ, produced by TH₁ cells, has an inhibitory action on IgE production. Objectives To investigate the TH₁/TH₂-cell pattern in the cytokine production of peripheral blood of asthmatic children. We determined IL-4, IFNγ and IL-5 in serum and in supematants of unstimulated and stimulated (24 h with Concanavaline A) cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in 22 children with moderate asthma (mean age 9.3 years) and in 17 healthy controls (mean age 10.3 years). All children visited the outpatient department (OPD) where history taking, physical examination and blood sampling took place. Children younger than 8 years of age performed symptom and peak flow registration during 1 week after the visit to the OPD. Results The number of eosinophils were significantly higher in children with asthma, compared with healthy controls. The concentration of IFNγ in supematants of cultures of stimulated PBMCs was significantly lower and the ratio of IL-4/IFNγ was significantly higher in children with asthma compared with healthy controls. The FEV₁ was directly and IgE was inversely related to the concentration of IFNγ in supematants of cultures of stimulated PBMCs. Conclusion IFNγ may play an important role in the pathophysiology of childhood atopic asthma.     

Induction of T ''regulatory'' cells by standardized house dust mite immunotherapy: an increase in CD4+CD25+ interleukin-10+ T cells expressing peripheral tissue trafficking markers

BACKGROUND: Clinically effective subcutaneous allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) is associated with altered circulating T cell cytokine production and altered local cytokine responses with increased IL-10 following allergen challenge in target organs. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to elucidate mechanisms for these T cell changes, by examining surface expression of markers for peripheral tissue trafficking on circulating cytokine-positive T cells following standardized house dust mite- (HDM-) SIT. METHODS: A randomized conventional HDM immunotherapy study was performed on a panel of 12 HDM-allergic subjects. Nine subjects received treatment with conventional HDM immunotherapy using a standardized extract and three subjects were treated by standard pharmacotherapy alone. Symptom and medication scores and allergen-induced cutaneous late-phase responses were assessed before and 9 months after institution of therapy. Before and at 3 and 9 months of SIT, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured for 14 days with HDM extract and CD4+ and CD8+ T cell expression of CD62L, CD49d and CCR5 and production of IL-10, IFN-gamma and IL-4 were analysed by flow cytometry. Allergen-specific T cell proliferation was assessed by 3H-thymidine incorporation. RESULTS: At 9 months, all SIT-treated patients showed reduced symptom scores and late-phase cutaneous responses to HDM compared with baseline levels. The proportions of CD4+ T cells which were IL-10+ were increased (P < 0.01), and the proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells which were IL-4+ decreased (P < 0.05) compared with baseline. CD4+ and CD8+ T cell IFN-gamma production, expression of surface markers for peripheral tissue trafficking and allergen-specific proliferation remained unchanged during SIT treatment. However, increased proportions of CD4+CD62L(-), CD4+CD49d(hi), CD4+CCR5+ T cells expressing IL-10 were detected at 9 months of SIT compared with baseline (P < 0.05). IL-10 staining co-localized with CD4+CD25+ T cells. CONCLUSION: Clinically effective subcutaneous immunotherapy with a standardized HDM Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus preparation results in decreased numbers of IL-4+ T cells and expansion of CD4+IL-10+ T cells expressing a peripheral tissue trafficking phenotype. The co-localization of IL-10+ staining to CD4+CD25+ T cells is consistent with the induction of a T regulatory cell population by SIT.     

灭活HIV-1颗粒对人CD4+T细胞活化和全血Th1/Th2细胞因子分泌的影响

目的：体外研究AT-2灭活的HIV-1颗粒对人CD4+T细胞活化和全血(whole blood，WB) Th1/Th2细胞因子分泌的影响。方法:AT-2灭活HIV-1ⅢB型病毒颗粒，运用ELISA法测定所制备的灭活病毒中p24抗原的含量，按照1/500、1/50和1/5 (V/V)的浓度加入到WB中，以植物血凝素(phytohemagglutinin，PHA)组为阳性对照；24 h后，收集WB培养上清，运用流式微球分析法（cytometric bead array，CBA）检测WB分泌Th1 (IL-2、IFN-γ和TNF-α)和Th2 (IL-4、IL-6和IL-10)细胞因子水平；同时运用免疫荧光抗体染色技术结合流式细胞术检测WB中CD4+T细胞早期活化标记分子CD69的表达百分率。结果:我们所制备的灭活病毒中p24抗原的含量为85.5 μg/L；24 h后，空白对照组中，CD4+T细胞CD69的表达百分率为(1.62±0.63)%，PHA组为(38.82±6.00)%，HIV-1(1/500)组为(3.83±1.07)%，HIV-1(1/50)组为(5.94±0.85)%，HIV-1(1/5)组为(9.30±1.22)%；空白对照组WB培养上清中细胞因子主要为IL-6和TNF-α，PHA组中Th1和Th2细胞因子全部升高，3个浓度的HIV-1组中Th1和Th2细胞因子也全部升高。结论:AT-2灭活的HIV-1ⅢB颗粒能够明显引起WB中CD4＋T细胞活化，并上调WB培养上清中Th1和Th2细胞因子的水平，其机制可能是除了HIV-1病毒蛋白的作用外，HIV-1出胞时，许多宿主细胞来源的免疫分子整合到病毒颗粒包膜中，而模拟抗原提呈细胞，从而产生免疫调节作用。     

Decreased peripheral blood γδ T cells in patients with bronchial asthma

Many cell populations are thought to be involved in the etiopathogenesis of bronchial asthma. We examined by flow cytometry the relative and absolute number of CD3*, CD4*, CD8*γδ TcR* T cells. CD19* B cells; and CD56* natural killer (NK) cells in the peripheral blood of 26 adult patients with difficult-to-control asthma (DCA) and 22 patients with minimally symptomatic asthma (MSA). Statistically higher relative and absolute numbers of NK cells (18.39±10.67% and 0.38±0.17×10⁹/l) in comparison with healthy controls (ll.77±8.06% and 0.25±0.19×10⁹/l) and significantly decreased relative and absolute numbers of γδ T cells (3.02±2.16% and 0.06±0.04×10⁹/l) in comparison with controls (5.65+2.90% and 0.13±0.08×10⁹/l) in the DCA patient group were found. After pooling of data from both MSA and DCA patients and dividing the patients according to the presence of allergy, the relative and absolute numbers of 78 T celts were found to be diminished in both the allergy (3.77±2.98 and O.O7±0.O5 ×10⁹/l) and nonallergy (3.06±1.78% and 0.06±0.03 ×10⁹/l) groups in comparison with healthy controls. The reason for the low number of 78 T cells in the peripheral blood of patients suffering from bronchial asthma is under investigation.     

初发SLE患者Th1/Th2及IL-10、IL-18基因的表达

探讨初发狼疮病人Th1/Th2分布及其调控细胞因子、细胞因子受体基因表达的差异。运用三色荧光标记法流式细胞术检测 35例未经药物治疗初发狼疮病人T细胞亚群分布 ,并以 10例正常人作对照 ;同时运用ABI770 0TagManRealTime定量PCR法检测其中 38例病人和 2 8例正常人IL 10、IL 18及其受体、IL 10 /IL 18mRNA表达的差异。结果 :(1)初发狼疮病人Th1较正常人明显减低 (P <0 0 5 ) ,但Th1/Th2无显著性改变 ;(2 )与正常组相比 ,SLE组病人IL 10mRNA表达无显著性差异 ,但IL 10R表达明显升高 (P <0 0 5 ) ;SLE组病人IL 18mRNA及其受体表达较正常人明显降低 (P值均 <0 0 5 ) ;(3)面部红斑组病人Th1/Th2较正常组降低 (P均 <0 0 5 ) ,IL 10R较正常组显著增高 (P <0 0 5 ) ;(4)RNP阳性组病人IL 10、较正常组升高 (P均 <0 0 5 ) ,IL 18降低 ;(5 )关节炎组病人IL 18R较无关节炎病人显著降低。SLE是一种以Th1细胞下降 ,Th2细胞相对占优势的免疫介导的自身免疫性疾病 ,源于诱导向Th1细胞分化的IL 18及其受体减少和细胞因子间失衡所致。     

Lower percentage of CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood of patients with sporotrichosis

PurposeTo characterize the peripheral immunity and immunity response of patients with sporotrichosis, in this study we determined the lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of Chinese patients with sporotrichosis.MethodsIn this retrospective study, peripheral blood was collected from 69 sporotrichosis patients (37, fixed cutaneous form; 32 lymphocutaneous) and 66 healthy controls. Lymphocyte subsets were analyzed using flow cytometry.ResultsCompared to controls, the percentage of CD8+ T cells was lower in sporotrichosis patients. The percentage of CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood tended to become lower with disease duration and disease severity, although the difference was not statistically significant for either acute, subacute and chronic patients or fixed cutaneous and lymphocutaneous patients.ConclusionOur data indicate that the decrease of CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood of patients with sporotrichosis is associated with disease severity, although the difference was not statistically significant for either duration or clinical forms of the disease. Combining antifungal agents and immunomodulators in patients with long disease duration and lymphocutaneous may be more beneficial than antifungal monotherapy.     

Increased susceptibility to HIV-1 of peripheral blood lymphocytes in acute infection with Epstein-Barr virus

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an important pathogen in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals that causes lymphoma and other lymphoproliferative disorders upon disease progression; however, interaction between the two viruses during acute infection is not well known. Expression of CCR5, a major coreceptor for HIV, was enhanced on CD4+ T cells from patients with acute EBV infection. Furthermore, susceptibility of those cells to R5-HIV-1, but not X4-HIV-1, was increased. EBV effects on CCR5 expression on or susceptibility to R5-HIV-1 of CD4+ T cells did not require coinfection of the same cell with the two viruses, because CD4+ T cells from patients with acute EBV infection were not infected with EBV. Considering that both HIV and EBV are transmitted by intimate contact, such possible interaction between the two viruses may have implications for viral transmission and the pathogenesis of HIV disease.     

系统性红斑狼疮患者外周血CD4+和CD8+T细胞PD-1的表达和意义

目的 探讨程序性死亡分子1 (PD-1)在系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者外周血CD4+和CD8+T细胞上的表达及临床意义.方法 应用流式细胞仪检测51例SLE患者和38例健康对照者外周血T细胞亚群表面PD-1表达水平,比较SLE稳定组、活动组和健康对照组以及狼疮肾炎组和无狼疮肾炎组之间CD4+和CD8+T细胞表面PD-1表达的百分比,并分析其与临床表现及实验室检查数据的相关性.结果 SLE活动组CD4+T细胞PD-1表达水平高于健康对照组和不活动组,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).SLE活动组、稳定组CD8+T细胞PD-1表达水平均高于健康对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).狼疮肾炎患者CD4+PD-1+和CD8+PD-1+T细胞分别高于无狼疮肾炎患者(P＜0.01).SLE患者中抗dsDNA抗体、抗Sm抗体、抗核小体抗体阳性组外周血CD4+和CD8+T细胞PD-1表达水平均高于对应阴性组.SLE患者CD4+和CD8+T细胞PD-1表达百分率与SLE疾病活动度指数(SLEDAI)、尿蛋白定量呈正相关,与补体C3呈负相关.结论 SLE患者外周血CD4+和CD8+T细胞PD-1表达异常,与SLEDA1和自身抗体产生有明确的相关性.     

Single-cell analysis of lymphokine imbalance in asymptomatic HIV-1 infection: evidence for a major alteration within the CD8+ T cell subset

In this study we investigated at single-cell level by flow cytometry the potential of T cell cytokine production in asymptomatic HIV-1-infected subjects with > 200 CD4 counts and possible correlation with T helper cell depletion and viral load. Mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 32 HIV-1⁺ patients and 16 healthy subjects were intracytoplasmically stained for IL-2, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), IL-4 or IL-10, and the frequency of cytokine-producing cells was assessed in total T cells, CD4, CD8 and CD45RO subsets as well as in CD69⁺ CD3⁺ gated lymphocytes. HIV-1⁺ patients, irrespective of their degree of CD4 depletion, exhibited a major increase in IFN-γ⁺ CD8 T cells, largely due to CD28⁻ cells, as well as a decrease in the capacity of CD8 T cells to produce IL-2. Patients with > 500 CD4 counts showed a diminished frequency of IL-4 expression in CD4 T cells and a negative correlation was found between this parameter and the ex vivo CD4 counts in the 32 patients. Analysis of patients stratified according to viral load revealed a significantly higher proportion of IL-2-producing CD4 cells in the group with < 5000 RNA copies/ml. In short, using single-cell analysis and an antigen-presenting cell-independent stimulus, we have not been able to find any significant cytokine imbalances in the CD4 subset, suggesting that the well described T helper defects are not due to intrinsic alterations in the potential of CD4 T cells to produce cytokines. On the other hand, the major disturbances in the CD8 T lymphocytes agree with the marked activation and possible replicative senescence of CD8 T cells and emphasize the role of this subset in HIV immunopathogenesis.     

IFN-γ production in response to IL-18 or IL-12 stimulation by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of atopic patients

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) are important for the regulation of immunoglobulin E (IgE) production and that IL-18 and IL-12 induce IFN-gamma. OBJECTIVE: IFN-gamma production in response to IL-18 or IL-12 stimulation was investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of atopic patients with various levels of serum IgE. METHODS: Cytokine production from PBMCs was measured following stimulation with a non-specific stimulator (phytohemagglutinin: PHA), IL-18 or IL-12 in 12 healthy controls and 26 atopic patients with various serum IgE levels. RESULTS: IFN-gamma production by IL-18-stimulated PBMCs was positively correlated with IFN-gamma production by IL-12-stimulated PBMCs (P < 0.05). However some atopic patients showed discrepancy between the levels of IFN-gamma production stimulated by IL-12 and by IL-18. CONCLUSIONS: The results shown here suggest the presence of abnormalities in the IL-12 and/or IL-18 signalling pathways, such as genetic defects in the atopic patients.     

Activated T and B lymphocytes in peripheral blood of patients with Chagas' disease

Whole blood preparations from patients with either the indeterminate(asymptomatic) or cardiac clinical forms of chronic Trypanosomacruzl infection were analyzed by flow cytometry using double-labelingto identify subsets of circulating lymphocytes. Several significantdifferences were demonstrated between the blood lymphocyte profilesof chagaslc patients and non-chagaslc controls. Clear increasein the percentages and actual numbers of double-positive cellsof the phenotype CD3⁺/HLA-DR⁺, as well as decrease in the percentageof CD45RA⁺/CD4⁺ and CD45RA⁺/CD8⁺ T cells, Indicate greater numbersof activated T cells circulating in the blood of infected patients.Consistent parallel increases were seen also in the B lymphocytesubset which stained double-positive for CD19/CD5. There wereno significant differences in the circulation of these chronicchagaslc patients in the CD4:CD8 ratios. Also, no substantivephenotyplc differences were observed in the lymphocyte populationsbetween the two ends of the clinical spectrum (Indeterminateversus cardiac) in chronic human Chagas' disease. These observationsdemonstrate that increased levels of activated T cells and CD5⁺B cells are present in the circulation of people with chronicChagas' disease. These are cell phenotypes that have been associatedin other conditions with autoimmune, polyclonal, and hyperlmmuneresponses. The specificities of these activated cells and theroles they may play in resistance or pathogenesis during chronicChagas' disease need now to be determined.     

重症肌无力患者外周血中CD4~+CD25~+调节性T细胞的变化及意义

研究CD4 + CD2 5 + 调节性T细胞在重症肌无力 (MG )发病中的作用。本文采用三色流式细胞术对 2 9例MG患者和 2 3例健康对照者外周血中CD4 + CD2 5 + T细胞 (CD3+ CD4 + CD2 5 + )的百分率进行测定。结果显示病情未能很好控制的MG患者外周血CD4 + CD2 5 + T细胞比率略低于健康对照组 (分别为 3 79%± 1 4 0 %、 4 5 3%± 0 96 % ,P =0 12 ) ,病情稳定或缓解的MG患者CD4 + CD2 5 + T细胞比率 (8 4 5 %± 1 96 % )显著高于健康对照组 (P =0 0 0 0 1) ;胸腺切除的MG患者CD4 + CD2 5 + T细胞比率 (8 4 4 %± 2 39% )显著高于非胸腺切除的MG患者 (5 88%± 2 89% ,P =0 0 38)和健康对照组 (4 5 3%± 0 96 % ,P =0 0 0 3)。提示MG患者外周血中存在异常比例的CD4 + CD2 5 + 调节性T细胞 ,可能参与疾病的发生与发展。     

Patterns of food allergen-specific cytokine production by T lymphocytes of children with multiple allergies

BACKGROUND: The contribution of different T cell subsets to the overall measured cytokine response to food allergens is largely unexplored. METHOD: The patterns of cytokine production of peripheral blood-derived T cells after allergen stimulation were studied in 22 children with multiple food allergies and in 20 non-allergic children as controls, using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Proportions of T cells of food-sensitized children spontaneously secreting IFN-gamma and IL-10 (without antigen stimulation) were lower than non-atopic children and adult controls (P相似文献   

Elimination of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cell accelerates the development of glomerulonephritis during the preactive phase in autoimmune-prone female NZB x NZW F mice

The role of CD4(+)CD25+ T cell in glomerulonephritis (GN) development during the preactive phase was investigated in autoimmune-prone female NZB x NZW F1 (B/WF1) mice. The administration of anti-mouse CD25+ T-cell monoclonal antibody (PC61.5) 3 days after birth induced the development of GN with an increase in IgG2a antinuclear antibody, productions of IL-6 and IFN-gamma, whereas TGF-beta1 production decreased, compared to untreated control mice. The present study results suggest that CD4(+)CD25+ T cells may, at least in part, downregulate the development of GN during the preactive phase in B/WF1 mice.