特应性皮炎患者外周血CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的检测

目的 探讨CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞（CD4+CD25+ Treg）在特应性皮炎（AD）发病中的作用机制及临床意义。方法 流式细胞仪分析AD患者外周血中CD4+CD25+ Treg细胞数量,实时荧光定量PCR检测外周血单核细胞（PBMC）中Foxp3 mRNA水平,ELISA检测血清中IL-2、IL-4、IL-10、IFN-γ水平。结果 AD患者外周血中CD4+CD25+ Treg细胞占CD3+ T细胞及CD4+ T细胞的比例均明显低于正常人对照组（t′ = 3.775、4.533,P值均 ＜ 0.01）;外周血中CD4+CD25+ Treg细胞占CD3+ T细胞比例在AD患者急性期明显低于慢性期（t = 2.217,P < 0.05）,而在急性期与亚急性期、亚急性期与慢性期之间差异均无统计学意义（t = 1.558、0.49,P值均 ＞ 0.05）。AD患者PBMC中Foxp3 mRNA的水平低于正常人对照组（z = -2.368,P ＜ 0.05）;其外周血中CD4+CD25+ Treg细胞与血清中IL-2和IL-10成正相关（r = 0.512、0.494,P值均 ＜ 0.05）,与IL-4和IFN-γ的相关性无统计学意义（r = -0.110、-0.237,P值均 ＞ 0.05）。结论 在AD患者中,外周血中CD4+CD25+ Treg细胞数量及Foxp3 mRNA水平均下降,从而可能减少对Th2细胞增生及其细胞因子分泌的抑制,使Th2占优势,参与AD的发病。     

Defective functions of circulating CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25- T cells in patients with chronic ordinary urticaria

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic ordinary urticaria (CU) are divided into two groups: 30-50% have chronic autoimmune urticaria, and the remainder have chronic idiopathic urticaria. CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T (Treg) cells play critical roles in maintaining peripheral tolerance and preventing autoimmunity, but the characteristics of Treg cells have not yet been defined in CU. OBJECTIVE: To identify whether CD4(+) T cells play an important immunoregulatory role in the etiology of CU, we determined the frequencies and functions of circulating CD4(+)CD25(+) and CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells in CU patients and healthy control subjects, with special focus on the characteristics of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from CU and healthy controls in this study. The frequency of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells in PBMCs was detected by flow cytometry. The expression levels of forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells were detected by real-time PCR. Furthermore, the suppressive function of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells was analyzed. Additionally, the Th1/Th2 cytokine secretory profile in mitogen-stimulated CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: An increased frequency of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells was observed in CU patients (n=19) compared to control subjects (n=7). No significant difference was detected in the expression levels of FOXP3 or TGF-beta between CU patients (n=14) and control subjects (n=7). Strikingly, the suppressive capacity of CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells from 2 of 5 CU patients was partially defective. We also found that cytokine production from CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells was significantly reduced in CU patients (n=9) compared to healthy donors (n=11). CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that CD4(+)CD25(+) and CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells in PBMCs exhibit defective functions in CU patients.     

SLE患者外周血中CD4＋CD25＋CD127^low/-标记的调节性T细胞与临床表现和实验室指标相关性研究

目的：探讨CD4＋CD25＋CD127low/-标记的调节性T细胞（Treg）在系统性红斑狼疮发病机制电的作用。方法：用流式细胞仪检测45例系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）患者和45例年龄、性别相匹配的健康志愿者外周血CD4＋T细胞中Treg的百分比,同时分析SLE患者外周血中的CD4＋CD25＋CD127low/-标记的Treg与其临床表现、实验室指标的相关性。结果：SLE患者外周血CD4＋T细胞中Treg百分比与健康对照组比较差异无统计学意义。在SLE患者中,Treg的百分比与抗核小体抗体呈正相关（r=0．299,P=0．046）,有光敏感的SLE患者中Treg较无光敏感组增高（P=0．017）,余均无统计学差异。结论：SLE患者外周血中以CD4＋CD25＋CD127low/-标记的Treg中可能因含有部分无免疫抑制活性的效应性T细胞而特异性差,因此可能不适合用于临床免疫抑制治疗。     

寻常性银屑病患者外周血CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的功能研究

目的 测定银屑病患者外周血中的CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞功能的改变,探讨调节性T细胞在其发病中的作用。方法 寻常性银屑病患者12例,银屑病面积和严重度指数（PASI）评分15 ～ 34.5分,均为慢性斑块状。健康对照组6例,为健康献血者。通过免疫磁珠体外分离外周血中的CD4+CD25+T细胞和CD4+CD25- T细胞,纯度达90％以上。采用［3H］-脱氧胸腺嘧啶苷方法检测CD4+CD25+ T细胞的增殖和抑制功能,ELISA法测定细胞因子和RT-PCR检测Foxp3 mRNA的表达。结果 多克隆刺激后CD4+CD25+ T细胞无明显增殖,IL-2可逆转此无反应状态。健康对照组CD4+CD25+ T细胞对CD4＋CD25－ T细胞增殖的抑制率可达60％,而银屑病组抑制率仅为19.5％（P < 0.01）。银屑病患者CD4＋CD25－ T细胞单独培养及与CD4＋CD25+ T细胞共培养后,分泌IFN-γ水平分别为（179.66 ± 48.97） ng/L和（109.55 ± 48.04） ng/L,健康对照组分别为（87.36 ± 33.36） ng/L和（32.55 ± 15.69） ng/L,两组比较,P值均 < 0.05;对IFN-γ分泌的抑制率银屑病患者组为40％,健康对照组为63％（P < 0.05）;健康对照组CD4＋CD25+ T细胞和CD4＋CD25－ T细胞单独培养,TGF-β分泌分别为（3025 ± 769） ng/L和（2450 ± 431） ng/L（P < 0.05）。两组之间,无论单独培养或两种细胞共培养,IL-10、TGF-β的分泌差异均无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。CD4+CD25+ T细胞表达高水平的Foxp3, 银屑病患者和健康人对照调节性T细胞和效应T细胞的Foxp3表达相似。结论 银屑病患者外周血中调节性T细胞抑制功能的减弱导致效应T细胞增殖失控,可能参与了银屑病的发病。     

麻风康复者外周血Treg细胞及IL-10水平检测

目的：通过检测麻风康复者外周血中CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg细胞百分比、IL-10的表达水平,探讨麻风康复者的细胞免疫水平。方法：采用流式细胞技术检测25例麻风康复者和20名健康者对照的外周血中CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg细胞的水平变化,ELISA法检测血清中IL-10水平,并进行相关性分析。 结果：麻风康复者组外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg细胞占CD4+CD25+Treg淋巴细胞的比率和血清IL-10浓度分别为(7.45±1.43)%和(13.45±3.61)pg/mL,均高于正常对照组的(5.89±1.21)%和(9.23±1.51)pg/mL（P＜0.01）。麻风康复者及正常对照外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg细胞水平与血清中IL-10含量呈正相关（P＜0.05）。结论：麻风康复者外周血中CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg细胞与血清中IL-10高于正常对照,麻风康复者可能存在细胞免疫失调状态。     

Lack of suppressive CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T cells in advanced stages of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Mycosis fungoides and its leukemic variant, Sezary syndrome, are the most common primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs). In an ex vivo study, we investigated the percentage, phenotype, and suppressive function of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) from peripheral blood of CTCL patients. The percentage of Tregs did not differ significantly between patients and controls. Functional assays demonstrated a dichotomy in Treg function: in four out of 10 patients CD4+CD25+ T cells were incapable of suppressing autologous CD4+CD25- T-cell proliferation, whereas suppressive function was intact in the other six patients. Suppressive activity of Tregs inversely correlated with the peripheral blood tumor burden. T-plastin gene expression, used as a Sezary cell marker, confirmed that Sezary cells were heterogeneous for CD25 expression. Mixed lymphocyte reactions demonstrated that CD4+CD25- T cells from patients who lacked functional Tregs were susceptible to suppression by Tregs from healthy controls, and had not become suppressive themselves. Furthermore, we found reduced expression of Foxp3 in the CD4+CD25+ Tregs of these patients relative to the other six CTCL patients and controls. Our findings thus indicate a dysfunction of peripheral Tregs in certain CTCL patients, which correlates with tumor burden.     

Absence of modulation of CD4+CD25high regulatory T cells in CTCL patients treated with bexarotene

Please cite this paper as: Absence of modulation of CD4+CD25^high regulatory T cells in CTCL patients treated with bexarotene. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19 : e95–e102. Abstract: Cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL) are a heterogeneous group of lymphoproliferative disorders, characterized by the infiltration of the epidermis by mature and activated malignant CD4+ T‐lymphocytes. Retinoids such as retinoic acid and synthetic analogues have long been used alone or in combination with other therapies for CTCL. Bexarotene, the first synthetic highly selective RXR retinoid, was approved for the treatment of all stages of CTCL in patients refractory to at least one systemic therapy. Recently, six cases in which the initiation of bexarotene therapy for CTCL was associated with the progression of internal disease despite improvement of cutaneous signs and symptoms were reported. Moreover, it has been established that retinoids promote the generation of CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells, raising the question of an induction of regulatory T‐cells by bexarotene. The aim of this work was to determine if bexarotene induces an increase of functional regulatory T cells which could play a role in the development of secondary extra‐cutaneous lymphomas. Regulatory T cells were studied both in cutaneous biopsy specimens using an immunohistochemical analysis of CD4, CD25 and Foxp3 and in blood where proportion and functionality of circulating CD4+CD25^high T‐cells were determined. The study was performed in 10 patients [five patients with Sézary syndrome (SS) and five mycosis fungoïdes (MF)], treated for 6 months with bexarotene. Four healthy donors were used as controls for phenotypic and functional analysis on PBL. We found that the frequency of CD4+CD25^high Treg cells was not significantly different before starting bexarotene and after 6 months of treatment in CTCL patients. However, we observed that the frequency of CD4+CD25^high Treg cells before the beginning of the treatment was significantly increased compared to healthy donors. In addition, functional assays demonstrated that Foxp3 expressing CD4+CD25^high T‐cells were capable of suppressing autologous CD4 + CD25? T‐cell proliferation. In the present work, we detected the presence of functional circulating CD4+CD25^high Foxp3+ regulatory T‐cells in CTCL patients, with an increased frequency compared to healthy donors. The treatment with bexarotene does not seem to affect the regulatory T‐cell compartment.     

CD4~+CD25~+调节性T细胞与Th17细胞在寻常型银屑病中的表达

目的:检测外周血中CD4~+CD25~+调节性T细胞(简称Treg细胞)与Th17细胞在寻常型银屑病(PV)中的表达。方法:34例寻常型银屑病患者,18例正常人作为对照。采用流式细胞术检测外周血中Treg细胞、FOXP3~+Treg细胞及Th17细胞的表达水平。结果:PV患者外周血中Treg细胞比例和FOXP3~+Treg细胞比例分别为(3.68±1.22)%和(0.53±0.19)%,低于正常对照组的(6.63±1.00)%和(0.76±0.14)%(P0.05)。Th17细胞比例为(2.20±0.78)%,高于正常对照组的(0.65±0.22)%(P0.05)。PV患者外周血中Treg细胞的表达与FOXP3~+Treg细胞的表达呈正相关(r=0.563,P0.05),而Treg细胞的表达与Th17细胞的表达呈负相关(r=-0.522,P0.05);Treg细胞和Th17细胞二者与PASI评分无相关性,与病程亦无相关性。结论:Treg细胞表达的减少及Th17细胞应答的增强,可能是导致PV免疫失衡的重要原因。     

斑秃患者外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3调节性T细胞及T淋巴细胞亚群的测定

目的 研究斑秃患者外周血中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞数量及CD4+、CD8+ T淋巴细胞亚群数量与斑秃疾病严重程度的关系。方法 对斑秃进行病情分组，以流式细胞仪检测17例重度、15例局限型斑秃患者和25例正常人对照者外周血中有功能活性的CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞（即CD4+CD25+ Foxp 3 T 细胞）在CD4+ T淋巴细胞中的比率，CD4+和CD8+占T淋巴细胞的比率。 结果 重度斑秃患者外周血中有功能活性的CD4+CD25+ Foxp 3 T细胞占CD4+ T细胞比率为0.54% ± 0.31%，显著低于正常人对照组（3.21% ± 0.76%）及局限型斑秃患者（2.71% ± 0.37%，P ＜ 0.001）；与正常人对照组比较，差异无统计学意义（P ＞ 0.05）。重度斑秃患者的CD4+占T淋巴细胞的比率为32.61% ± 3.48%，显著低于正常人对照组（43.0% ± 3.63%，P ＜ 0.001），而CD8+占T淋巴细胞的比率为40.96% ± 8.54%，显著高于正常人对照组（25.23% ± 2.14%，P ＜ 0.001）。局限型斑秃患者的此两项指标分别为41.25% ± 4.27%和26.6% ± 2.28%，与对照组差异无统计学意义（P ＞ 0.05）。重度斑秃患者的CD8+占T淋巴细胞的比率与CD4+CD25+ Foxp 3调节性 T 细胞占CD4+ T细胞的比率有负相关关系（r ＝ －0.94，P ＜ 0.001）。结论 重度斑秃可能与外周血中CD4+CD25+ T细胞数量的减少和功能活性的降低有关。     

尖锐湿疣患者外周血CD4 CD25 Foxp3 调节性T细胞的检测

目的 探讨外周血CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞（Treg细胞）表型和功能改变所致的细胞免疫抑制效应在尖锐湿疣发病机制中的作用。方法 采用免疫荧光标染技术,经流式细胞仪检测46例尖锐湿疣患者和43例正常人外周血CD4+CD25+ T细胞转录因子Foxp3及细胞毒T细胞相关抗原4（CTLA-4）、糖皮质激素诱导的肿瘤坏死因子受体家族相关基因（GITR）、程序性死亡1（PD-1）等抑制性膜分子的表达水平。同时,用免疫磁珠细胞分选技术从外周血中分选出高纯度的CD4+CD25+ T细胞,经体外刺激后分析胞内分泌白介素10（IL-10）和转化生长因子β（TGF-β）阳性细胞数。结果 尖锐湿疣患者外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg细胞数量比正常人对照组显著增加（P ＜ 0.01）,CD4+CD25+ T细胞表面抑制性膜分子CTLA-4、PD-1表达明显增强（P分别为 ＜ 0.05及 ＜ 0.01）,胞内TGF-β阳性细胞增多（P ＜ 0.001）。结论 人乳头瘤病毒感染可诱导CD4+CD25+ Treg细胞活化增殖,高表达负性共刺激分子和分泌抑制性细胞因子,通过多种机制抑制机体的抗病毒免疫应答。     

Relative impact of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and tacrolimus on inhibition of T-cell proliferation in patients with atopic dermatitis

BACKGROUND: It has been established recently that CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an important role in controlling various immune responses. Immunosuppressive drugs are often used to treat immune dysregulation but are frequently associated with undesirable side-effects. OBJECTIVES: We examined the suppressive capacity of circulating Tregs in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Combined effects of Tregs and tacrolimus on the inhibition of T-cell proliferation in vitro were also assessed. METHODS: CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25- T cells were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells using immunomagnetic beads. CD4+CD25- T cells were stimulated with purified protein derivative (PPD) or house dust mite allergen (Der p1) for 6 or 7 days, respectively. A dose range of tacrolimus and CD4+CD25+ T cells were added separately, or together. Proliferation was measured by (3)H-thymidine incorporation. RESULTS: CD4+CD25+ T cells from normal controls and patients with AD are anergic and inhibit the proliferation of CD4+CD25- T cells in response to PPD and Der p1 in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. Addition of tacrolimus and Tregs together showed significantly stronger inhibition of proliferation than either on their own. This was true for both antigens and both in normal controls and in patients with AD. CONCLUSIONS: CD4+CD25+ T cells in patients with AD have normal suppressive activity compared with healthy controls. Tregs and tacrolimus have additive effects on the inhibition of proliferation in response to PPD and Der p1.     

Identification of lesional CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in Psoriasis

BACKGROUND: Depletion of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ naturally occurring regulatory T cells (T(reg)) induces autoimmune phenomena. These cells have not yet been fully characterized in the skin of psoriatic patients. OBJECTIVES: To prove that the Zenon immunofluorescent labeling technique is suitable for the demonstration of co-localization of T-cell markers and in particular to show the distribution of T(reg) in psoriatic skin. METHODS: In biopsies derived from normal and psoriatic skin, CD4+ CD25+, CD4+ CD45RO+, CD8+ CD25+, CD8+ CD45RO+ and CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ cells in the dermis and in the epidermis were immunophenotyped, using a quantitative immunofluorescent labeling technique (Zenon), analyzed and compared using image analysis. RESULTS: The immunofluorescent labeling technique was shown to be an easy and reliable tool to demonstrate co-localization of T-cell markers. In psoriasis, all pathogenic T-cell subsets (CD4+ CD25+, CD4+ CD45RO+, CD8+ CD25+ and CD8+ CD45RO+ cells) were significantly increased in the dermis and in the epidermis, as compared to normal skin (all p < 0.05). Using this labeling technique we were able to reveal CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ T(reg) in psoriatic dermis, but not in the dermis of normal skin (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The Zenon immunofluorescence technique in combination with image analysis is suitable for the demonstration of co-localization of T-cell markers in tissue. Increased numbers of pathogenic T cells (CD4+ CD25+, CD4+ CD45RO+, CD8+ CD25+ and CD8+ CD45RO+) were shown in the dermis and epidermis, whereas CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ T(reg) were identified in psoriatic skin with a predilection for the upper dermis.     

特应性皮炎患者外周血调节性T细胞及皮损中miR-31、Foxp3的表达

目的 探讨特应性皮炎（AD） 患者外周血调节性T细胞（Treg 细胞）及皮损组织中miR-31、Foxp3的表达水平及其相关性。方法 用流式细胞仪检测37例AD患者外周血Treg细胞的比例,实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测miR-31及Treg细胞特异性转录因子Foxp3 mRNA的表达水平;并以33例性别、年龄匹配的健康儿童做对照。检测5例急性期AD患者皮损与皮损周围组织中miR-31及Foxp3 mRNA的表达水平,并以5例健康人皮肤组织标本为对照。采用独立样本t检验、单因素方差分析和线性相关进行统计学分析。结果 AD患者外周血Treg细胞比例明显低于健康对照组（2.12% ± 0.60%比4.99% ± 1.27%,P < 0.01）;miR-31 mRNA表达水平明显高于健康对照组（6.01 ± 1.76比1.62 ± 0.51,P < 0.01）;Foxp3 mRNA表达水平显著低于健康对照组（0.78 ± 0.17比1.87 ± 0.71,P < 0.01）。AD患者皮损、皮损周围组织及健康人皮肤组织中miR-31及Foxp3 mRNA表达水平间差异均有统计学意义。miR-31表达水平：皮损 > 皮损周围组织 > 健康人皮肤组织,F = 54.501,P < 0.01;Foxp3表达水平：皮损 < 皮损周围组织 < 健康人皮肤组织,F = 37.837,P < 0.01。AD患者外周血miR-31 mRNA表达水平与疾病严重程度评分呈正相关（r = 0.417,P = 0.010）,与Treg细胞比例（r = -0.404,P = 0.013）及Foxp3 mRNA表达水平呈负相关（r = -0.409,P = 0.012）;皮损及皮损周围组织中miR-31 mRNA表达水平与Foxp3 mRNA表达水平呈负相关（r = -0.392,P = 0.032）。结论 AD患者miR-31高表达及Foxp3低表达可能与AD的发病相关。 【关键词】 皮炎,特应性; miR-31; T淋巴细胞,调节性; Foxp3     

过敏性紫癜患者外周血Th17/Treg细胞平衡性检测

目的 探讨Th17细胞/Treg细胞（CD4+CD25+ Foxp3+ T细胞）失衡在过敏性紫癜（HSP）发病机制中的作用。方法 采用流式细胞仪检测59例HSP患儿外周血Th17细胞和Treg细胞的比例、实时定量RT-PCR检测Th17细胞与Treg细胞转录因子RORγt、Foxp3 mRNA的表达。同时以38例性别、年龄匹配的健康儿童做对照。结果 HSP组外周血Th17细胞比例（CD4+IL-17+/CD4+ T细胞,1.87% ± 0.56%）及RORγt mRNA表达量（7.71 ± 1.95）,均显著高于正常人对照组（CD4+IL-17+/CD4+ T细胞：0.39% ± 0.15%,P < 0.01; RORγt mRNA：1.49 ± 0.57,P < 0.01）;HSP组外周血Treg细胞比例（CD4+CD25+Foxp3+/CD4+ T细胞,1.63% ± 0.44%）及Foxp3 mRNA的表达量（0.34 ± 0.11）,均明显低于正常人对照组（CD4+CD25+Foxp3+/CD4+ T细胞：5.04% ± 1.44%,P < 0.01;Foxp3 mRNA：1.71 ± 0.69,P < 0.01）。HSP各组间Th17细胞、Treg细胞比例及RORγt、Foxp3 mRNA的表达量差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。结论 过敏性紫癜患者外周血Th17、Treg细胞水平及其转录因子表达量发生变化,其比例的失平衡可能参与过敏性紫癜的发病。     

Circulating CD4+ CD25brightFOXP3+ regulatory T-cells are significantly reduced in bullous pemphigoid patients

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most frequent autoimmune bullous skin disease, characterised by auto-antibodies against the hemidesmosome complex. Recently, regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been implicated in the development of several autoimmune diseases; few data are available in BP, failing to demonstrate a role of this subset in disease pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and phenotypes of different Tregs (CD4+ CD25brightFOXP3+ and CD8+ CD28- cells) in BP to clarify whether the depletion of this subset constitutes one mechanism of tolerance loss. The CD4+ CD25brightFOXP3 and CD8+ CD28- circulating subsets were determined by flow-cytometry in 26 untreated BP patients and compared with a group of age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC, n?=?30). Absolute and percentage values of the CD4+ CD25brightFOXP3+ cells were significantly reduced in BP compared with HC (median CD25brightFOXP3+ expression within CD4+ cells: 1.8 vs. 3.5%, p?=?0.002); conversely, BP patients were characterised by a significant expansion of the CD25brightFOXP3- "activated" T-cell subset. CCR4 and CD62L were expressed on the majority of CD4+ CD25brightFOXP3+ cells (75.2 and 82.3%, respectively). No differences in the CD8+ CD28- subset were found between BP and HC. This is the first report showing a significant reduction of circulating CD4+ CD25brightFOXP3+ Treg frequency in BP patients.     

Role of regulatory T cells in patients with acute herpes zoster and relationship to postherpetic neuralgia

This study is to analyze distribution of peripheral T cell subsets including regulatory T cells in patients with acute herpes zoster (AHZ) and investigate its relationship to the development of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood from 76 patients with AHZ and 38 normal controls were analyzed using flow cytometry. According to the visual analogue scales in the acuter phase and followed up by PHN for 3 months, patients with herpes zoster (HZ) were divided into different patient groups. The results demonstrated a significant decrease in the percentage of CD4 lymphocytes and CD4/CD8 ratios in each patient group as compared with normal controls, and the CD4+ subsets in the severe group were significantly decreased as compared with mild group and moderate group (p < 0.01). Moreover, there seemed a relationship between severity of acute pain during zoster and PHN. The proportions of regulatory T cells (Treg; CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T cells) were significantly elevated from AHZ patients as compared with normal controls, and CD4+ T cells were inversely correlated with Treg cells (p < 0.01). Furthermore, FoxP3 expression was significantly increased by CD4+CD25^high T cells in the severe group as compared with mild group, moderate group and normal controls. These results indicated that T cellular immunity in AHZ patients was impaired and suggested increased activation of Treg cells may suppress anti-viral CD4+ T cells immune responses, especially in the severe HZ patients. Treg cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of AHZ and progression toward PHN.     

Decrease in circulating Th17 cells correlates with increased levels of CCL17, IgE and eosinophils in atopic dermatitis

Background

Clinical significance of circulating CD4⁺ T cell subsets, including T-helper (Th)1, Th2, Th17 and regulatory T (Treg) cells, in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) remains unclear. No previous studies have simultaneously evaluated the four T cell subset profiles in AD.

Objective

The aim of the present study was to explore whether the percentage of these four subsets of CD4⁺ T cells correlate to the severity parameters of AD patients.

Methods

Intracellular expression of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-17 and forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) in CD4⁺ T cells was evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from normal controls and patient with AD as well as with chronic eczema using a flow cytometer. Serum CCL17 levels were measured as an objective severity parameter of AD together with percentage of eosinophils and serum IgE levels.

Results

In AD patients, the number of Th1 (IFN-γ⁺) and Th17 (IL-17⁺) subsets was significantly decreased, but that of Th2 (IL-4⁺) and Treg (Foxp3⁺) subsets was similar to that of normal controls. The T cell subset profiles of patients with chronic eczema were not different with those of normal controls. The frequency of Th17cells, particularly that of the IFN-γ^negaIL-17⁺ subset, showed a significant negative correlation with CCL17, IgE and eosinophil levels in AD patients. This was, however, not the case in Th1, Th2 and Treg cells.

Conclusion

Decreased circulating Th17 cells might contribute to activity of AD.     

CD4~+ CD25~+调节性T细胞与IL-17在梅毒血清固定患者外周血中的表达及意义

目的:观察梅毒血清固定患者外周血中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞和IL-17的表达及意义。方法:采用三色流式细胞术及免疫酶联吸附法测定18例梅毒血清固定患者和18例对照者外周血中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞和IL-17的表达水平。结果:梅毒血清固定患者外周血CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的含量明显高于对照组(t=6.29,P<0.01);IL-17的含量与对照组比较差异无统计学意义(t=-1.68,P=0.102)。结论:CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞表达水平增高造成的免疫抑制可能与梅毒血清固定有关;IL-17的表达水平可能与梅毒血清固定无关。