PTEN inhibits IL-2 receptor-mediated expansion of CD4+ CD25+ Tregs

One of the greatest barriers against harnessing the potential of CD4+ CD25+ Tregs as a cellular immunotherapy is their hypoproliferative phenotype. We have previously shown that the hypoproliferative response of Tregs to IL-2 is associated with defective downstream PI3K signaling. Here, we demonstrate that targeted deletion of the lipid phosphatase PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10) regulates the peripheral homeostasis of Tregs in vivo and allows their expansion ex vivo in response to IL-2 alone. PTEN deficiency does not adversely affect either the thymic development or the function of Tregs, which retain their ability to suppress responder T cells in vitro and prevent colitis in vivo. Conversely, reexpression of PTEN in PTEN-deficient Tregs as well as in activated CD4+ T cells inhibits IL-2-dependent proliferation, confirming PTEN as a negative regulator of IL-2 receptor signaling. These data demonstrate that PTEN regulates the "anergic" response of Tregs to IL-2 in vitro and Treg homeostasis in vivo and indicate that inhibition of PTEN activity may facilitate the expansion of these cells for potential use in cellular immunotherapy.     

Inability to mediate prolonged reduction of regulatory T Cells after transfer of autologous CD25-depleted PBMC and interleukin-2 after lymphodepleting chemotherapy

CD25CD4 regulatory T cells (Treg) regulate peripheral self-tolerance and possess the ability to suppress antitumor responses, which may explain the poor clinical response of cancer patients undergoing active immunization protocols, and provides the rationale for neutralizing Treg cells in vivo to strengthen local antitumor immune responses. Because interleukin-2 (IL-2) mediates tumor regression in about 15% of treated patients but simultaneously increases Treg cells, we hypothesized that transient elimination of Treg cells will enhance the clinical effectiveness of IL-2 therapy. In the current study, 5 patients with metastatic melanoma who were refractory to prior IL-2 received a lymphodepleting preparative regimen followed by the adoptive transfer of autologous lymphocytes depleted of CD25 Treg cells and high-dose IL-2 administration. CD25 cells were eliminated from patient leukapheresis samples using a clinical-grade, large-scale immunomagnetic system, leaving CD8 and CD25CD4 T cells intact. In the early aftermath of CD25 Treg cell-depleted cell infusion, CD25FOXP3+ CD4 Treg cells rapidly repopulated the peripheral blood of treated patients with 18% to 63% of CD4 T cells expressing FOXP3. Recovering CD25CD4 T cells exhibited suppressive activity against CD25CD4 effector T-cell proliferation in vitro. No patient experienced objective tumor regression or autoimmunity. Our results indicate that in vivo transfer of autologous CD25-depleted mononuclear populations to lymphopenic patients in combination with high-dose IL-2 is not sufficient to mediate prolonged reduction of Treg cells after IL-2 administration.     

Large-scale depletion of CD25+ regulatory T cells from patient leukapheresis samples

The ability to selectively enrich or deplete T lymphocytes of specific phenotype and function holds significant promise for application in adoptive immunotherapy protocols. Although CD4+ T cells can have an impact on CD8+ T-cell effector function, memory, and maintenance, a subset of CD4+ T cells, CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg), can regulate peripheral self tolerance and possess the ability to suppress antitumor responses. The authors report the ability to selectively deplete CD25+ Treg cells from patient leukapheresis samples using a clinical-grade, large-scale immunomagnetic system. Using leukapheresis samples containing up to 1.3 x 10(10) white blood cells, efficient depletion of Treg cells was measured by flow cytometric analysis of CD25 expression and FOXP3 expression on post-depletion products. Remnant CD25+ cells could not be detected in CD25-depleted products after short-term culture in IL-2 or enriched following secondary immunomagnetic selection for CD25+ cells, confirming that efficient depletion had occurred. In parallel to efficient enrichment of CD25- cells, immunomagnetic selection resulted in the recovery of Treg cells, since CD25+ lymphocytes removed during depletion were primarily composed of CD4+ T cells that expressed high levels of FOXP3 and possessed suppressive activity against autologous TCR-stimulated CD4+ CD25- T cells in vitro. These results show that selective separation of functional CD25+ Treg cells from large-scale samples can be performed in large scale under clinical-grade conditions with sufficient selection, recovery, viability, ability to expand, and function for potential use in adoptive immunotherapy.     

Partial reduction of human FOXP3+ CD4 T cells in vivo after CD25-directed recombinant immunotoxin administration

The regulation of tolerance to self-proteins and the suppression of T-cell responses have in part been attributed to the activity of CD25+CD4+ T regulatory (Treg) cells. Further, Treg cells can inhibit the antitumor effectiveness of adoptive immunotherapy and active immunization approaches in preclinical models. In an effort to selectively eliminate Treg cells from human peripheral blood mononuclear cell to potentially bolster antitumor responses, we have evaluated the Treg-cell depleting capacity of the CD25-directed immunotoxin, RFT5-SMPT-dgA. In preclinical studies, incubation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cell with RFT5-SMPT-dgA mediated a partial reduction in the levels of CD25+, Foxp3-expressing CD4+ T cells in vitro. Administration of RFT5-SMPT-dgA to 6 patients with metastatic melanoma induced a transient but robust reduction in the number of CD25high CD4 T cells in vivo (a 97.5% mean reduction at nadir; from 69.4 +/- 12.4 cells/miroL to 1.7 +/- 0.3 cells/microL). The reduction in FOXP3+ CD4 T-cell number was less comprehensive (a 71.3% mean reduction at nadir; from 66.6 +/- 16.5 cells/microL to 14.2 +/- 3.9 cells/tL). This resulted in the selective persistence of a stable number of CD25(low/neg) FOXP3+ CD4+ T cells in vivo. No objective antitumor responses were seen in any patient. Our results indicate that the CD25-directed, RFT5-SMPT-dgA immunotoxin can mediate a transient, partial reduction in Treg-cell frequency and number in vitro and in vivo and suggest that comprehensive eradication of human Treg cells in vivo may require the ability to target and eliminate FOXP3+ CD4+ T cells expressing both high and low levels of CD25.     

The IL-6R alpha chain controls lung CD4+CD25+ Treg development and function during allergic airway inflammation in vivo

The cytokine IL-6 acts via a specific receptor complex that consists of the membrane-bound IL-6 receptor (mIL-6R) or the soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) and glycoprotein 130 (gp130). In this study, we investigated the role of IL-6R components in asthma. We observed increased levels of sIL-6R in the airways of patients with allergic asthma as compared to those in controls. In addition, local blockade of the sIL-6R in a murine model of late-phase asthma after OVA sensitization by gp130-fraction constant led to suppression of Th2 cells in the lung. By contrast, blockade of mIL-6R induced local expansion of Foxp3-positive CD4+CD25+ Tregs with increased immunosuppressive capacities. CD4+CD25+ but not CD4+CD25- lung T cells selectively expressed the IL-6R alpha chain and showed IL-6-dependent STAT-3 phosphorylation. Finally, in an in vivo transfer model of asthma in immunodeficient Rag1 mice, CD4+CD25+ T cells isolated from anti-IL-6R antibody-treated mice exhibited marked immunosuppressive and antiinflammatory functions. IL-6 signaling therefore controls the balance between effector cells and Tregs in the lung by means of different receptor components. Furthermore, inhibition of IL-6 signaling emerges as a novel molecular approach for the treatment of allergic asthma.     

CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells control T helper cell type 1 responses to foreign antigens induced by mature dendritic cells in vivo

Recent evidence suggests that in addition to their well known stimulatory properties, dendritic cells (DCs) may play a major role in peripheral tolerance. It is still unclear whether a distinct subtype or activation status of DC exists that promotes the differentiation of suppressor rather than effector T cells from naive precursors. In this work, we tested whether the naturally occurring CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) may control immune responses induced by DCs in vivo. We characterized the immune response induced by adoptive transfer of antigen-pulsed mature DCs into mice depleted or not of CD25+ cells. We found that the development of major histocompatibility complex class I and II-restricted interferon gamma-producing cells was consistently enhanced in the absence of Treg. By contrast, T helper cell (Th)2 priming was down-regulated in the same conditions. This regulation was independent of interleukin 10 production by DCs. Of note, splenic DCs incubated in vitro with Toll-like receptor ligands (lipopolysaccharide or CpG) activated immune responses that remained sensitive to Treg function. Our data further show that mature DCs induced higher cytotoxic activity in CD25-depleted recipients as compared with untreated hosts. We conclude that Treg naturally exert a negative feedback mechanism on Th1-type responses induced by mature DCs in vivo.     

地塞米松联合IL-2对供鼠体内调节性T细胞选择性扩增作用及对急性移植物抗宿主病反应的抑制作用

目的 通过地塞米松(Dex)联合IL-2处理小鼠,建立体内扩增调节性T细胞(Treg细胞)的方法 .观察用该方法 处理的小鼠脾细胞移植后受鼠急性移植物抗宿主病(aGVHD)的发生与转归.方法 使用Dex和IL-2处理雄性C57BL/6N供鼠3 d后提取脾单个核细胞(MNC),用流式细胞术(FCM)分析CD4~+ CD25~+、CD25~+ FOXP3~+细胞的变化.,以以上方法 处理的雄性C57BL/6N小鼠为供者,对雌性BALB/c受鼠进行非清髓异基因淋巴细胞移植.移植后观测受鼠的生存率、生存时间、组织病理学变化,以及用PCR和FCM分析测定受鼠嵌合体等来评价aGVHD的发生.结果 经过Dex和IL-2联合处理,供鼠脾CD4~+ CD25~+ FOXP3~+ Treg细胞数量[(24.2±7.6)%]明显高于对照组[(4.0±0.8)%](P=0.01).Dex联合IL-2组供鼠Treg细胞与效应T细胞(Teff)的比值(0.43±0.15)显著高于对照组(0.14±0.01)(P=0.01).经过Dex联合IL-2处理供鼠后进行异基因淋巴细胞移植,受鼠aGVHD明显减轻,中位生存时间＞60 d,与对照组的中位生存时间12 d相比明显延长(P=0.0045).对照组出现典型的aGVHD表现,移植后2周Dex联合IL-2组和对照组的总体死亡率分别为29.4%和71.4%(P＜0.05).结论 经IL-2和糖皮质激素处理供鼠后进行主要组织相容性抗原复合物完全不相合脾淋巴细胞移植能明显减轻aGVHD,显著延长生存时间,可能与供者体内诱导扩增的Treg细胞增加有关.     

骨髓增生异常综合征患者CD4+CD25+FoxP3+Treg细胞特点及环孢素对其的影响

目的探讨骨髓增生异常综合征(myelodysplastie syndrome,MDS)-难治性贫血(refractory anemia,RA)及难治性血细胞减少伴有多系发育异常(refractory cytopenia with multiple dysplasia,RCMD)患者CD4+CD25+FOXP3+Treg细胞与白细胞介素(interleukin,IL)-10表达水平,评估环孢素对MDS患者CD4+CD25+FOXP3+Treg细胞的影响。方法选择2016年1月至2018年1月于新疆维吾尔自治区人民医院25例MDS-RA及RCMD患者(MDS组)和13名健康对照(健康对照组),采用流式细胞术及酶联免疫吸附试验检测外周血标本CD4+CD25+FOXP3+Treg与IL-10表达水平,检测MDS-RA及RCMD患者在应用以环孢素为基础的免疫抑制方案治疗前、治疗6个月后及MDS组治疗有效及无效的CD4+CD25+FOXP3+Treg与IL-10的表达情况。结果全部25例患者中,13例(52%)有效,12例(48%)无效。MDS组CD4+CD25+FOXP3+Treg占CD4+T细胞比例显著高于健康对照组[(0.37±0.10)%与(0.12±0.06)%,t=2.02,P<0.001]。MDS组IL-10水平显著高于健康对照组[(7.16±1.27)μg/L与(2.75±1.06)μg/L,t=2.03,P<0.001]。MDS治疗有效组CD4+CD25+FOXP3+Treg细胞比例低于无效组[(0.15±0.06)%与(0.26±0.08)%,t=1.71,P<0.001],有效组IL-10水平低于无效组[(3.22±1.01)μg/L与(4.25±1.22)μg/L,t=2.06,P=0.030]。25例MDS患者外周血CD4+CD25+FOXP3+Treg比例与IL-10表达水平呈正相关关系(r=0.35,P=0.02)。结论MDS患者存在CD4+CD25+FOXP3+Treg细胞与IL-10的表达升高,环孢素治疗后降低。     

CD25+ regulatory T cell inhibition enhances vaccine-induced immunity to neuroblastoma

Evidence that CD4CD25 regulatory T (Treg) cells play a role in the progression of cancer continues to mount. There is a great deal of interest as to whether transient elimination or functional inhibition of these cells can improve the efficacy of immunotherapy for cancer. Our goals in this study were to test whether treatment of mice with anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody (mAb) (PC61) could induce rejection of a murine neuroblastoma, whether anti-CD25 treatment could increase tumor immunity when administered just before cell-based vaccination, and to learn how anti-CD25 treatment influences the vaccine-induced antitumor response. Treatment of mice with anti-CD25 mAb induced rejection of the mouse neuroblastoma, Neuro-2a, as 90% of anti-CD25-treated mice survived challenge with a lethal dose of tumor cells. In vivo anti-CD25 mAb treatment before the first of 2 weekly vaccines significantly improved the survival of tumor-vaccinated/challenged mice (75% vs. 33% survival), whereas antibody treatment before each of the 2 vaccines did not, suggesting that excessive treatment with anti-CD25 mAb interferes with activated antitumor effector cells. A detailed phenotypic analysis of tissues from anti-CD25-treated mice indicated that the antibody partially depletes CD4Foxp3 Treg cells (25% to 40%) in A/J mice, and that the antibody may inhibit the remaining cells by inducing loss of CD25 expression and blocking CD25 molecules, partially confirming recent data from other investigators. Importantly, we found that in vivo anti-CD25 mAb treatment significantly decreased the contribution of asialo GM1 cells in the antitumor response. As we did not see a direct effect of anti-CD25 mAb on in vitro assays of immune cell function in spleen cells from treated animals, this indicates that inhibition of Treg cells amplifies the immune response in vivo in a manner that bypasses the requirement for innate immune activation, potentially mediated by natural killer cells, and allows for protective CD4 and CD8 cells to expand directly in response to cell-based vaccines.     

Antigen-dependent proliferation of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells in vivo

The failure of CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) to proliferate after T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation in vitro has lead to their classification as naturally anergic. Here we use Tregs expressing a transgenic TCR to show that despite anergy in vitro, Tregs proliferate in response to immunization in vivo. Tregs also proliferate and accumulate locally in response to transgenically expressed tissue antigen whereas their CD25- counterparts are depleted at such sites. Collectively, these data suggest that the anergic state that characterizes CD25+ Tregs in vitro may not accurately reflect their responsiveness in vivo. These observations support a model in which Treg population dynamics are shaped by the local antigenic environment.     

Direct expansion of functional CD25+ CD4+ regulatory T cells by antigen-processing dendritic cells

An important pathway for immune tolerance is provided by thymic-derived CD25+ CD4+ T cells that suppress other CD25- autoimmune disease-inducing T cells. The antigen-presenting cell (APC) requirements for the control of CD25+ CD4+ suppressor T cells remain to be identified, hampering their study in experimental and clinical situations. CD25+ CD4+ T cells are classically anergic, unable to proliferate in response to mitogenic antibodies to the T cell receptor complex. We now find that CD25+ CD4+ T cells can proliferate in the absence of added cytokines in culture and in vivo when stimulated by antigen-loaded dendritic cells (DCs), especially mature DCs. With high doses of DCs in culture, CD25+ CD4+ and CD25- CD4+ populations initially proliferate to a comparable extent. With current methods, one third of the antigen-reactive T cell receptor transgenic T cells enter into cycle for an average of three divisions in 3 d. The expansion of CD25+ CD4+ T cells stops by day 5, in the absence or presence of exogenous interleukin (IL)-2, whereas CD25- CD4+ T cells continue to grow. CD25+ CD4+ T cell growth requires DC-T cell contact and is partially dependent upon the production of small amounts of IL-2 by the T cells and B7 costimulation by the DCs. After antigen-specific expansion, the CD25+ CD4+ T cells retain their known surface features and actively suppress CD25- CD4+ T cell proliferation to splenic APCs. DCs also can expand CD25+ CD4+ T cells in the absence of specific antigen but in the presence of exogenous IL-2. In vivo, both steady state and mature antigen-processing DCs induce proliferation of adoptively transferred CD25+ CD4+ T cells. The capacity to expand CD25+ CD4+ T cells provides DCs with an additional mechanism to regulate autoimmunity and other immune responses.     

天然调节性T细胞的调节因素研究进展

天然CD4^＋CD25^＋调节T细胞来源于胸腺,通过直接接触机制抑制效应细胞的增殖,调节自身免疫和移植免疫。本文主要综述了影响天然调节T细胞分化、发育和功能的主要因素和可能机制。Foxp3是Treg的标志,检测其表达可以作为判定Treg的方法。IL-2主要通过IL-2Rα及STAT5途径促进Treg的增殖活化。膜型和分泌型TGF-β具有不同功能,膜型TGF-β1可能主要介导Treg的抑制功能,而分泌型TGF-β可能主要促进Treg的增殖。树突状细胞由于作用途径不同,对Treg既有正调节,也有负调节。CTLA-4途径可能通过作用于Treg自身、DC或效应细胞直接或间接地调节Treg的功能。     

急性冠脉综合征患者外周血CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的变化及其临床意义

目的 探讨急性冠脉综合征（acute coronary syndrome,ACS）患者的外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞（CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg）和CD4^＋CD25^＋曲T细胞（CD4^＋CD25^＋^high Treg）的水平及其临床意义。方法 采用流式细胞术检测15例急性心肌梗死患者、20例不稳定性心绞痛、11例稳定性心绞痛和16例健康体检者（对照组）的外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg和CD4^＋CD25^＋^high Treg的水平。结果 ACS患者CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg占CD4^＋T细胞的比例较稳定性心绞jjl;和对照组显著减少,CD4^＋CD25^＋high Treg占CD4^＋T细胞比例的差异无显著性。结论 ACS患者外周血具有免疫负调节作用的CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg水平减低,可能促进了动脉粥样硬化的进展。     

CD4＋CD25＋Treg细胞的分选、表型鉴定及Foxp3表达鉴定

目的为验证从C57BL／6小鼠脾脏中分离出高纯度CD4＋CD25＋Treg细胞及证实CD4＋CD25＋Treg细胞中Foxp3基因的表达。方法使用免疫磁珠分选出CD4＋CD25＋Treg细胞,流式细胞仪检测纯度;使用TRIZOL抽提Foxp3基因mRNA,使用RT—PCR方法逆转录出Foxp3基因的cDNA。结果从C57BL／6小鼠脾脏中分离出了纯度达到90％CD4＋CD25＋Treg。进一步应用RT—PCR技术克隆出Foxp3的cDNA,通过凝胶电泳证实了克隆出了Foxp3的cDNA。结论使用免疫磁珠方法能够分离出C57BL／6小鼠CD4＋CD25＋Treg细胞,并进行了Foxp3基因表达的鉴定。     

Essential roles of CD8+CD122+ regulatory T cells in the maintenance of T cell homeostasis

Regulation of immune system is of paramount importance to prevent immune attacks against self-components. Mice deficient in the interleukin (IL)-2/IL-15 receptor beta chain, CD122, are model animals of such immune attacks and characteristically have a high number of abnormally activated T cells. Here, we show that the transfer of CD8+CD122+ cells into CD122-deficient neonates totally prevented the development of abnormal T cells. Furthermore, recombination activating gene-2-/- mice that received wild-type mice-derived CD8+CD122- cells died within 10 wk after cell transfer, indicating that normal CD8+CD122- cells become dangerously activated T cells in the absence of CD8+CD122+ T cells. CD8+CD122+ cells could control activated CD8+ or CD4+ T cells both in vivo and in vitro. Our results indicate that the CD8+CD122+ population includes naturally occurring CD8+ regulatory T cells that control potentially dangerous T cells.     

Characterization of a novel subset of CD8(+) T cells that expands in patients receiving interleukin-12.

IL-12 has significant antitumor activity in mice that may be mediated by CD8(+) T cells. We show in this report that repeated subcutaneous injections of IL-12 in patients with cancer resulted in the selective expansion of a subset of peripheral blood CD8(+) T cells. This T cell subset expressed high levels of CD18 and upregulated IL-12 receptor expression after IL-12 treatment in vivo. In normal subjects, these CD3(+)CD8(+)CD18(bright) T cells expressed IL-12 and IL-2 receptors and adhesion/costimulatory molecules to a greater degree than other CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells. They appeared morphologically as large granular lymphocytes, although they did not express NK cell markers such as CD56. In addition, CD8(+)CD18(bright) T cells were almost exclusively T cell receptor (TCR) alphabeta+, and exhibited a TCR Vbeta repertoire that was strikingly oligoclonal, whereas the Vbeta repertoire of CD18(dim) T cells was polyclonal. Although CD8+CD18(bright) T cells demonstrated little functional responsiveness to IL-12 or IL-2 alone in vitro, they responded to the combination of IL-12+IL-2 with strong IFN-gamma production and proliferation and enhanced non-MHC-restricted cytolytic activity. In contrast, CD18(dim) T cells were not activated by IL-12 or IL-2, alone or in combination. These findings demonstrate that CD8+CD18(bright) T cells are a unique population of peripheral blood lymphocytes with features of both memory and effector cells that are capable of TCR-independent activation through combined stimulation with IL-12+IL-2. As this activation results in IFN-gamma production and enhanced cytolytic activity, these T cells may play a role in innate as well as acquired immunity to tumors and infectious pathogens. Additional studies will be necessary to determine whether CD8+CD18(bright) T cells mediate the antitumor effect of IL-12 or IL-2 administered to cancer patients, and if so, whether maximal activation of these T cells with the combination of IL-12+IL-2 in vivo can augment the clinical effectiveness of these cytokines.     

CD4+CD25+ T cells regulate virus-specific primary and memory CD8+ T cell responses

Naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells appear important to prevent activation of autoreactive T cells. This article demonstrates that the magnitude of a CD8+ T cell-mediated immune response to an acute viral infection is also subject to control by CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells (Treg). Accordingly, if natural Treg were depleted with specific anti-CD25 antibody before infection with HSV, the resultant CD8+ T cell response to the immunodominant peptide SSIEFARL was significantly enhanced. This was shown by several in vitro measures of CD8+ T cell reactivity and by assays that directly determine CD8+ T cell function, such as proliferation and cytotoxicity in vivo. The enhanced responsiveness in CD25-depleted animals was between three- and fourfold with the effect evident both in the acute and memory phases of the immune response. Surprisingly, HSV infection resulted in enhanced Treg function with such cells able to suppress CD8+ T cell responses to both viral and unrelated antigens. Our results are discussed both in term of how viral infection might temporarily diminish immunity to other infectious agents and their application to vaccines. Thus, controlling suppressor effects at the time of vaccination could result in more effective immunity.     

Resolution of airway inflammation and hyperreactivity after in vivo transfer of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells is interleukin 10 dependent

Deficient suppression of T cell responses to allergen by CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells has been observed in patients with allergic disease. Our current experiments used a mouse model of airway inflammation to examine the suppressive activity of allergen-specific CD4+CD25+ T cells in vivo. Transfer of ovalbumin (OVA) peptide-specific CD4+CD25+ T cells to OVA-sensitized mice reduced airway hyperreactivity (AHR), recruitment of eosinophils, and T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokine expression in the lung after allergen challenge. This suppression was dependent on interleukin (IL) 10 because increased lung expression of IL-10 was detected after transfer of CD4+CD25+ T cells, and regulation was reversed by anti-IL-10R antibody. However, suppression of AHR, airway inflammation, and increased expression of IL-10 were still observed when CD4+CD25+ T cells from IL-10 gene-deficient mice were transferred. Intracellular cytokine staining confirmed that transfer of CD4+CD25+ T cells induced IL-10 expression in recipient CD4+ T cells, but no increase in IL-10 expression was detected in airway macrophages, dendritic cells, or B cells. These data suggest that CD4+CD25+ T cells can suppress the Th2 cell-driven response to allergen in vivo by an IL-10-dependent mechanism but that IL-10 production by the regulatory T cells themselves is not required for such suppression.     

脓毒症患儿CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的变化

目的 观察不同免疫状态下脓毒症婴幼儿外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3high调节性T细胞(Treg细胞)及相关分子的变化,探讨婴幼儿脓毒症免疫功能紊乱的可能机制.方法 分别收集2007年5月至2007年11月深圳市儿童医院重症监护室收治的婴幼儿脓毒症36例血液标本,另选16例健康同龄儿童作为正常对照进行前瞻性研究;排除既往患有自身免疫性疾病、免疫缺陷病、遗传代谢病及肿瘤的患儿,排除近6个月曾使用影响免疫功能的药物.本研究获得深圳市儿童医院伦理委员会的同意.以外周血CD14+单核细胞HLA-DR表达>30%或<30%为阈值,将患儿分为免疫激活组(DR-H组)和免疫抑制组(DR-L组),用流式细胞术检测CD14+单核细胞HLA-DR表达率,CD4+CD25+Foxp3highTreg细胞比例;实时荧光定量PCR(Real time-PCR)检测CD4+T细胞Foxp3、CTLA-4、GITR、IL-10mRNA表达.统计方法采用单因素方差分析,P<0.05为差异具有统计学意义.结果 急性期DR-L组CD4+CD25+Foxp3highTreg细胞比例明显高于对照组及DR-H组(P<0.05).DR-L组Foxp3、CTLA-4、IL-10等相关分子基因表达高于对照组及DR-H组(P<0.05),DR-L组GITR基因表达高于DR-H组.结论 CD4+CD25+Foxp3highTreg细胞数量异常增加可能与婴幼儿脓毒症免疫抑制状态有关.