卵巢癌患者外周血CD4+CD25hiCD127lo调节性T细胞格局变化及临床意义

目的:观察卵巢癌患者外周血中CD4+CD25hiCD127lo调节性T细胞格局变化及其相关免疫细胞因子TGF-β1、IL-10的变化及与临床病理特征之间的关系,探讨其临床意义.方法:采用流式细胞术(FCM)和酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测70例卵巢癌患者、50例卵巢良性疾患及70例健康者外周血单个细胞中调节性T细胞的比率和血浆TGF-β1、IL-10的水平.结果:①卵巢癌患者外周血中CD4+CD25hiCD127loTreg调节性T细胞占CD4+细胞的比例为6.32%±1.46%(n=70),显著高于卵巢良性疾患4.03%±1.25%(n=50)和健康对照组3.21%±0.96%(n=70),均P＜0.01.术后患者CD4+CD25hiCD127loTreg比率与术前比较无明显差异.②卵巢癌患者血浆中TGF-β1、IL-10水平(256.68±56.34) pg /ml、(28.24±3.12) ng/ml,明显高于良性疾患(156.48±43.68) pg /ml、(20.58±2.39) ng/ml与健康对照组(130.24±35.60) pg/ml、(18.38±2.98) ng/ml,有统计学差异,分别P＜0.001,P＜0.01.③术前卵巢癌患者外周血CD4+CD25hiCD127loTreg比率、血浆中TGF-β1、IL-10水平与患者的临床分期、淋巴结转移以及远处转移有关,P＜0.05～P＜0.001.④相关分析显示,卵巢癌患者外周血 CD4+CD25hiCD127loTreg比率与血浆中TGF-β1水平、IL-10水平呈正相关,r=0.734,P＜0.01;r=0.665,P＜0.01.结论:①CD4+CD25hiCD127loTreg在卵巢癌患者外周血中表达显著增高,这可能是卵巢癌患者免疫功能下降的一个重要原因,并与临床病理特征存在显著相关性;②卵巢癌患者血浆中抑制性细胞因子TGF-β1、IL-10水平明显升高,并与临床病理特征存在显著相关性;③CD4+CD25hiCD127loTreg与TGF-β1、IL-10水平存在正相关,CD4+CD25hiCD127loTreg可能通过产生抑制性细胞因子TGF-β1、IL-10 对效应性T细胞发挥抑制作用.     

Transforming growth factor-β1 promotes Treg commitment in nasal polyposis after intranasal steroid treatment

Background

A predominant Th17 population and impaired Treg function is the marker of nasal polyposis (NP) in Chinese patients. TGF-β1, a multifunction cytokine, is a vital factor involved in inducing or restricting specific Th cell development. However, its role in NP has still not been well understood.

Methods

In a double-blind trial, 30 subjects were randomized into 2 groups (15 steroid-treated NP, 15 untreated NP), and 15 normal subjects were allocated as control group. We analyzed the expression of TGF-β1, p-Smad2, p-STAT3, Smad7, SOCS3, IL-10, IL-17A, Foxp3, and RORc in the NP tissue of Chinese patients using mRNA and protein detection methods.

Results

TGF-β1, p-Smad2, IL-10, SOCS3, and Foxp3 expression was higher in steroid-treated NP patients than in untreated NP patients. Conversely, expression of p-STAT3, Smad7, IL-17A, and RORc was higher in untreated NP patients than in steroid-treated NP patients, demonstrating that TGF-β1 was more likely to contribute to Treg commitment in Chinese NP patients after intranasal steroid treatment.

Conclusions

TGF-β1 may be a signature Treg cytokine, which is valuable for obtaining a clear understanding of the pathogenesis of NP. Moreover, intranasal steroid treatment attenuated the chronic inflammatory response in these patients by promoting Smad-dependent Treg functions and reducing STAT3-mediated Th17 reactions.     

扩张型心肌病患者Th17/Treg的变化及意义

目的:探讨Th17/Treg的变化及其与扩张型心肌病(DCM)发生发展的关系。方法:收集急性病毒性心肌炎(AVMC)患者及DCM患者和健康体检者的外周血,ELISA法检测血清中IL-17及TGF-β1浓度;经PE-CD4、FITC-CD25及FITC-IL-17单抗染色后,双色流式细胞术检测Th17细胞及Treg细胞的比例。结果:AVMC组Th17和IL-17高于DCM组和对照组;DCM组Treg和TGF-β1低于AVMC组与对照组;AVMC组与DCM组Th17/Treg无显著差异,但均高于对照组。结论:Thl7/Treg的升高打破了免疫平衡,促进了AVMC的发病及其向DCM的发展。     

Hydrogen-Rich Saline Ameliorates Allergic Rhinitis by Reversing the Imbalance of Th1/Th2 and Up-Regulation of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Regulatory T Cells,Interleukin-10, and Membrane-Bound Transforming Growth Factor-β in Guinea Pigs

It is well known that CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cells play an important role in the development of allergic rhinitis (AR); the defect of cell numbers and functions contribute to AR. Hydrogen has been proven effective in alleviating symptoms of AR. We herein aim to verify the protective effects of hydrogen on CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cells in guinea pigs with AR and to explore the effect of hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) on CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cells in animals with AR and investigate the underlying anti-inflammatory mechanism. Eighteen guinea pigs were randomly divided into three groups (control group/AR group/AR-HRS group). The guinea pigs were injected with hydrogen-rich saline (AR-HRS group) for 10 days after sensitization. The control group was injected with an equal volume of normal saline. The number of sneezes, degree of runny nose, and nasal-rubbing movements were scored. Peripheral blood eosinophil count was recorded. The proportions of Th1/Th2 of the peripheral blood and the CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T cells in the CD4+T cells of the spleen and peripheral blood were determined by flow cytometry. The content of interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in the serum was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein and mRNA expression of Foxp3, IL-10, and TGF-β were determined by Western blot, immunofluorescence, and real-time PCR analysis, respectively. Scores of symptoms, number of eosinophils,and nasal mucosa damage were dramatically reduced after HRS treatment. HRS increased the expression of Foxp3, IL-10, TGF-β, and number of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cells, which were reduced in AR. HRS also revised the dysregulation of Th1/Th2 balance. Both the number and biological activity of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cells increased with up-regulation of Th1/Th2 after HRS administration. HRS could play a protective role in attenuating AR through improving the proportion and functions of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cells.     

Role of Treg cells and TGF-β1 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a possible relation with lupus nephritis

Regulatory T (Treg) cells play an important role in the maintenance of immune tolerance to self and in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease. Transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-β1) is a regulatory cytokine with pleiotropic properties in immune responses. This study was to investigate the role of Treg cells and TGF-β1 in the pathogenesis of patients with lupus nephritis (LN). A total of 42 new-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients and 22 healthy controls were enrolled. The proportion of Treg cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was evaluated by flow cytometric analysis. The serum and urinary TGF-β1 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results demonstrated a significant decrease in the frequency of CD4(+)CD25(high) and CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) T cells in LN patients. The concentration of serum TGF-β1 was found decreased in SLE patients, while urinary TGF-β1 levels were significantly higher in LN patients. Based on our results, decreased Treg cells were accompanied with lower serum TGF-β1 levels and higher urinary TGF-β1 levels in LN patients. TGF-?1 levels in serum may play a key role in the pathogenesis of renal impairment while the significantly increased urinary TGF-β1 levels may be used as a biological marker in prediction of lupus nephritis.     

Altered profile of regulatory T cells and associated cytokines in mild and moderate dengue

The pathogenesis of dengue is immune-mediated. Regulatory T cells suppress immune response and may contribute to better prognosis. The present study evaluates Tregs and cytokines in dengue patients in the context of disease severity, time of sampling and immune status. The cohort included 90 patients (51 mild, 39 moderate) and 27 healthy controls. Frequencies of Tregs, CD4⁺CD25^?Foxp3⁺ T cells and CD3⁺, CD3⁺CD4⁺ and CD3⁺CD8⁺ T cells were enumerated by flow cytometry. Circulating levels of 15 cytokines/chemokines were measured using Luminex technology and mRNA levels of Foxp3, IL-10 and TGF-β were assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Significantly higher frequencies of Tregs were observed in mild cases, especially during post-defervescence. The difference between mild and moderate cases was more evident in secondary infections. Frequencies of T cells were higher in mild cases but during pre-defervescence. On the other hand, the levels of IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, TNF-α and IL-10 were significantly higher in moderate cases. IL-6 and IL-8 levels correlated negatively with Treg frequencies during post-defervescence and in secondary infections. Higher levels of IL-10 and TGF-β in moderate cases were not reflected by their corresponding mRNA levels. Platelet counts correlated positively with Treg frequencies and TGF-β levels, and negatively with IL-10 levels. Higher Treg frequencies may favour a beneficial outcome in dengue. Higher cytokine levels may indirectly contribute to disease severity by exerting an inhibitory influence on Tregs. The dichotomy between mRNA and proteins levels for IL-10 and TGF-β is suggestive of increased translational efficiency.     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并骨质疏松患者血清肿瘤坏死因子α、转化生长因子β1、白细胞介素6水平的变化

背景:肿瘤坏死因子α、白细胞介素6、转化生长因子β是临床已明确与慢性阻塞性肺疾病发病发展有关的重要系统性炎症相关因子,但其与慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并骨质疏松间关系如何,鲜见报道。目的:探究慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并骨质疏松患者血清肿瘤坏死因子α、转化生长因子β、白细胞介素6水平变化的临床意义。方法:按照前瞻性病例对照原则选取120例慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者,根据骨量分为慢性阻塞性肺疾病骨量正常组40例,慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并骨量减少组40例,慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并骨质疏松组40例。比较3组临床资料、血清肿瘤坏死因子α、转化生长因子β1及白细胞介素6水平;分析骨质疏松组血清3种因子水平与肺功能、骨密度、骨代谢相关性;并采用偏相关性分析血清3种因子水平与慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并骨质疏松的关系;受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线评价血清肿瘤坏死因子α、转化生长因子β1、白细胞介素6的诊断价值。研究方案符合青海大学附属医院的相关伦理要求。结果与结论:①Pearson相关性分析,骨质疏松组血清肿瘤坏死因子α、白细胞介素6与第1秒用力呼气容积占预计值百分比(FEV1%Pre)、第1秒用力呼气量与用力肺活量比值(FEV1/FVC)、腰椎骨密度、股骨颈骨密度呈负相关,与骨保护素、Ⅰ型胶原交联羧基末端肽降解产物呈正相关;转化生长因子β1与FEV1%Pre、FEV1/FVC、腰椎骨密度、股骨颈骨密度呈正相关,与骨保护素、Ⅰ型胶原交联羧基末端肽降解产物呈负相关(P<0.05);②将肺功能、骨代谢、骨密度等其他因素控制后,血清肿瘤坏死因子α、转化生长因子β1、白细胞介素6仍与慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并骨质疏松显著相关(P<0.05);③血清肿瘤坏死因子α、转化生长因子β1、白细胞介素6联合对诊断慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并骨量减少及慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并骨质疏松的ROC曲线下的面积(AUC值)分别为0.870、0.850;④结果说明,血清肿瘤坏死因子α、转化生长因子β1、白细胞介素6水平与肺功能及骨代谢有关,三者联合检测可为临床评价慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并骨质疏松提供参考依据。     

妊高征肾病患者血浆ET-1和血清TGF-β1、IL-10检测及其临床意义

目的：探讨妊高征肾病患者治疗前后血浆ET-1和血清TGF-β1、IL-10水平的变化及临床意义。方法：应用放射免疫分析和酶联法对32例妊高征肾病患者进行了治疗前后血浆ET-1和血清TGF-β1、IL-10检测,并与35名正常人作比较。结果：妊高征肾病患者在治疗前血浆ET-1和血清TGF-β1、IL-10均非常显著地高于正常人组（P〈0.01）,经治疗2周后则与正常人组比较无显著性差异（P〉0.05）,血浆ET-1和血清TGF-β1、IL-10水平呈正相关（r=0.4812、0.5784,P〈0.01）结论：检测妊高征肾病患者血浆ET-1和血清TGF-β1、IL-10水平的变化,对患者的病情判断、疗效观察具有重要的临床价值。     

肝硬化患者血清TGF-β1、IL-10、IL-12和IL-18检测的应用价值

目的：详述肝硬化患者血清TGF-β1、IL-10、IL-12和IL-18水平的变化及临床意义。方法：应用酶联法对66例肝硬化患者（其中30例为肝硬化腹腔积液组,36例为肝硬化无腹腔积液组）进行了血清TGF-β1、IL-10、IL-12和IL-18测定并与35例正常人作比较。结果：肝硬化患者血清TGF-β1、IL-10、IL-12和IL-18水平均非常显著地高于正常人组（P〈0.01）,尤以肝硬化腹腔积液组为甚。肝硬化患者血清TGF-β1水平与IL-10、IL-12和IL-18水平呈正相关（r=0.5018、0.5742、0.6011,P〈0.01）。结论：检测肝硬化患者血清TGF-β1、IL-10、IL-12和IL-18水平的变化有助于对疾病变化过程和治疗功效的评估,因而可提供重要的临床价值。     

人脑胶质瘤组织中转化生长因子β1表达与Treg浸润的关系

目的:检测胶质瘤组织中转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)表达,并分析其与CD4+ FOXP3+ 调节性T细胞(Treg)浸润的关系,探讨Treg浸润的临床意义.方法:采用免疫组织化学双标记的方法检测135例胶质瘤组织(WHO I 18,WHO Ⅱ45,WHO Ⅲ53,WH0Ⅳ19)、15例正常脑组织中TGF-β1、Tre...     

Nocardia brasiliensis induces an immunosuppressive microenvironment that favors chronic infection in BALB/c mice

Nocardia brasiliensis is an intracellular microorganism and the most common etiologic agent of actinomycetoma in the Americas. Several intracellular pathogens induce an immunosuppressive microenvironment through increases in CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg), thus downregulating other T-cell subpopulations and assuring survival in the host. In this study, we determined whether N. brasiliensis modulates T-lymphocyte responses and their related cytokine profiles in a murine experimental model. We also examined the relationship between N. brasiliensis immunomodulation and pathogenesis and bacterial survival. In early infection, Th17/Tc17 cells were increased at day 3 (P < 0.05) in footpad tissue and spleen. Treg subpopulations peaked at days 7 and 15 (P < 0.01) in the footpad and spleen, respectively. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and interleuki-10 (IL-10) are cytokines known for their immunosuppressive effects. During early and chronic infections, these cytokines were elevated with increased TGF-β1 levels from days 3 to 30 (P < 0.01) and sustained IL-10 expression throughout infection compared to uninfected mice. IL-6 production was increased at day 3 (P < 0.01), whereas gamma interferon (IFN-γ), IL-17A, and IL-23 levels were highest at day 15 postinfection (P < 0.01) when a decrease in the bacterial load (>1 log) was also observed (P < 0.05). After these changes, at 30 to 60 days postinfection, IFN-γ production was decreased, whereas the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and the bacterial load again increased (P < 0.05). The increment in Treg cells and the related cytokine profile correlated with reduced inflammation at day 15 (P < 0.05) in the footpad. We conclude that N. brasiliensis modulates the immune system to induce an immunosuppressive microenvironment that benefits its survival during the chronic stage of infection.     

洛伐他汀对急性冠脉综合征患者CD4~+ CD25~+ CD127~- T细胞的影响

目的:探讨洛伐他汀治疗急性冠脉综合征(ACS)患者时外周血CD4+ CD25+ CD127-调节性T细胞(Treg)数量的变化及炎症反应状况。方法:将40例ACS患者随机分为常规治疗组(20例)和常规治疗加洛伐他汀治疗组(20例),分别于治疗前及治疗4周后取外周血,用流式细胞术检测各组CD4+ CD25+ CD127-细胞的百分率;并用ELISA测定循环血中细胞因子水平。结果:与正常对照组比较,ACS患者Treg百分比明显偏低(P<0.01),血清C反应蛋白(CRP)水平较高,转化生长因子-β(TGF-β)和白介素-10(IL-10)水平则偏低。治疗4周后,常规加洛伐他汀治疗组患者Treg百分比明显上升(P<0.01),血清TGF-β和IL-10水平升高,CRP明显下降;而常规治疗组无明显变化;Treg数量与TGF-β和IL-10水平呈正相关,而与CRP水平呈负相关。结论:Treg数量减少可能是ACS患者炎症反应增强和斑块失稳定的重要机制;他汀类药物的抗炎作用及稳定斑块作用可能通过影响Treg的途径实现。     

Levels of Circulating Th17 Cells and Regulatory T Cells in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients with an Inadequate Response to Anti−TNF-α Therapy

Purpose

To investigate the effects of TNF-α blockage on levels of circulating Th17, Treg and their related cytokines in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with different response to anti-TNF-α therapy.

Methods

The frequencies of circulating Th17 and Treg and serum levels of related cytokines were determined using flow cytometry analysis and ELISA, respectively, in 222 AS patients both before (baseline) and 6 months after anti-TNF-α therapy. Therapeutic response was defined according to ASAS (Assessment in Spondyloarthritis International Society) response criteria.

Results

Significantly higher baseline circulating Th17 and serum TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17, IL-23 were observed in active AS patients than in healthy controls. After anti-TNF-α therapy, 168 patients (75.7 %) were responders and 54 (24.3 %) were non-responders. Frequencies of Th17 significantly decreased in responders, but significantly increased in non-responders. Treg increased significantly in responders but decreased significantly in non-responders. Levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23 were significantly decreased in responders. In contrast, IL-17 and IL-23 significantly increased in non-responders. TGF-β were significantly increased only in responders, whereas no significant changes were seen in IL-10 in either responders or non-responders. Spearman correlation analysis showed that frequencies of Th17 and levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23 were positively correlated with BASDAI score. They were also positively correlated with BASFI score except for IL-6. Treg were found to be negatively correlated with BASDAI score.

Conclusions

The beneficial effect of anti-TNF-α therapy in AS might not only neutralize the effects of TNF-α but also down-regulate Th17 and Th17-related cytokines accompanied by up-regulating the Treg/TGF-β axis in responders.     

调节性T细胞及其细胞因子在儿童免疫性血小板减少性紫癜发病机制中的作用

目的 探讨调节性T细胞(Tregs)及其细胞因子转化生长因子-β(TGF-β)和白细胞介素-10(IL-10)在儿童免疫性血小板减少性紫癜(ITP)中作用.方法 选择滨州市滨州医学院附属医院儿童血液与神经病区2015年5月至2016年5月确诊为ITP患儿20例作为实验组,同期门诊健康查体儿童20例作为对照组,两组儿童在年龄、性别差异无统计学意义.采用流式细胞仪检测外周血Treg细胞数量,酶联免疫吸附测定试验(ELISA)血清中TGF-β和IL-10的含量.结果 ITP患儿外周血Treg细胞的数量明显低于正常对照组(P＜0.05);ITP患儿血清中TGF-β和IL-10的含量也低于正常对照组(P＜0.05),差异具有统计学意义.结论 ITP患儿外周血中Treg细胞数量的减少与TGF-β和IL-10含量的降低可能与ITP的免疫失调有关.     

调节性T细胞及其分泌的细胞因子在再生障碍性贫血中的意义

目的:检测再障患者外周血中T细胞亚群比例及Treg细胞相关的细胞因子分泌水平,探讨其在再障发病中作用。方法:依据临床诊断标准,收集初发再障组、再障造血恢复组、正常对照组的外周血标本,流式细胞学方法检测各组CD4+、CD8+、NK、NKT、Treg细胞的比例,免疫磁珠法分离各组外周血中Treg细胞,并给予刺激培养,24、48小时后收集上清液,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测Treg细胞分泌的细胞因子IL-10、IL-35、TGF-β的表达水平。结果:初发再障组的CD4+,Treg比例与正常对照组和再障造血恢复组相比显著低下;CD8+T细胞比例在再障患者中明显升高,其结果有统计学差异(P<0.05);NK、NKT的细胞与正常对照组比较无明显变化(P>0.05)。分离培养三组人群Treg细胞,ELISA检测结果显示:初发再障患者的IL-10、IL-35、TGF-β表达水平和正常对照组比较明显降低(P<0.05)。结论:T细胞免疫异常是再障发病机制的重要环节,Treg细胞在再障患者恢复造血过程中可能起着正向调控的作用。     

Th17/Treg-related cytokine imbalance in sulfur mustard exposed and stable chronic obstructive pulmonary (COPD) patients: correlation with disease activity

In this study, we investigated expression changes of Th17/Treg-related cytokine in transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLBs) of sulfur mustard (SM) exposure, stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and also compared it with a healthy control (HC) group. Here, ROR-γt, FoxP3, and Treg/Th17-related cytokines (IL-10, IL-17A, IL-6, and TGF-β1) were assessed using a combination of RT–QPCR and ELISA in 11 SM-exposed cases, 9 patients with GOLD stage II COPD diagnosed, and 8 HC. Our results showed that the levels of Foxp3 expression were lower and ROR-γt expression was higher in SM and COPD patients when compared with HC (all p values were less than 0.001). The relative Foxp3 expressions and Foxp3/ROR-γt ratio were positively correlated with FEV1 (%) pred (R?=?0.682 and R?=?0.602, respectively; p?≤?0.001). However, the relative ROR-γt expressions were inversely correlated with FEV1 (%) pred (R=??0.75, p?=?0.003) and relative Foxp3 expression (R=??0.704, p?=?0.003). The mRNA and protein expression of IL-10 were significantly decreased in SM and COPD patients compared with HC (p?p?≥?0.05). In addition, an inverse correlation were observed between FEV1 (%) pred and expressions of IL-17A (R=??0.741), IL-6 (R=??0.673) and TGF-β1 (R=??0.632) (p?≤?0.001). Instead, positive correlation was found between IL-10 ratios and FEV1 (%) pred (R?=?0.777, p?=?0.001). These findings suggest that Treg/Th17-mediated distributions are involved in the progression of chronic lung injury of SM and COPD patients.     

The role of Th17 cells and regulatory T cells in Coxsackievirus B3-induced myocarditis

IL-17-producing (Th17) and regulatory T (Treg) cells have been well established in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases. To assess whether Th17 and Treg were altered in acute virus-induced myocarditis (AVMC) mice, we assessed Th17/Treg functions on different levels in AVMC. It was shown that the expression of splenic Th17 cells and Th17-related cytokines (IL-17A, IL-21) markedly increased. Interestingly, the expression of splenic Treg cells and Treg-related cytokines (TGF-β, IL-10) also significantly increased. Using neutralization of IL-17 in the AVMC, we found that Treg cells roughly decreased compared with isotype control mice. However, T cells and perforin dramatically increased, followed by a marked reduction in CVB3 replication. The results suggested that Th17 cells possibly contributed to viral replication through the action of Treg cells in mediating T cells and perforin response in AVMC.     

Immunomodulation of human CD19+CD25high regulatory B cells via Th17/Foxp3 regulatory T cells and Th1/Th2 cytokines

Regulatory B (Breg) cells are a special subset of immunoregulatory cells with unique phenotypes and functions. In this study, human CD19⁺CD25^high Breg cells were purified from human peripheral blood. Based on the coculture system of Breg cells and CD4⁺ T cells in vitro, Breg cells were found to promote the increase in regulatory T (Treg) cells while decreasing the number of Th17 cells. Breg cells regulate Treg cells through two processes: cell-cell contact and cytokines. TGF-βsRII, a blocker of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), can attenuate the effects of Treg elevation, suggesting that TGF-β is the main cytokine, while Breg cells rather than interleukin-10 (IL-10) regulate the differentiation of Treg cells. However, Th17 cells were mainly regulated by cytokines, without an obvious regulatory effect on cell-cell contacts. Breg cells may regulate Th17 cells by a pathway independent of TGF-β and IL-6. The coculture of Breg cells and CD4⁺ T cells led to changes in the cytokine spectrum, which included significant increases in IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 but not obvious changes in IL-2, IFN-γ and TNF. The inhibitory effect of Breg cells was weakened by blocking cell-cell contacts in cultures separated with the Transwell chamber because IL-10 decreased while IL-6 increased when compared with cocultured Breg and CD4⁺ T cells. When the IL-10 inhibitor IL-10sRα was added, IL-6 and TNF levels significantly increased, while treatment with the TGF-β inhibitor TGF-βsRII did not result in similar changes, suggesting that IL-10 is an important molecule to inhibit the proinflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF in this culture system.     

Human CD19(+)CD25(high) B regulatory cells suppress proliferation of CD4(+) T cells and enhance Foxp3 and CTLA-4 expression in T-regulatory cells

Studies in both animal models and humans have shown a subset of B cells behaving as immuno-regulatory cells, being a source of inhibitory cytokines such as IL-10 and TGF-β. Our aims were to establish the presence of human B regulatory (Breg) cells and to assess their ability to suppress proliferation of CD4(+) T cells and to mediate T regulatory (Treg) cells' properties. For this purpose, human Breg, CD4(+) T and Treg cells were purified using magnetic microbeads. CFSE-labeled CD4(+) T cells were stimulated and cultured alone or with Breg cells. Their proliferative response was determined 72 hours later based on the CFSE staining. In parallel, Treg cells were cultured alone or with Breg cells in different conditions for 24 hours, and then stained and analyzed for Foxp3 and CTLA-4 expression. We found that, the co-culture of Breg cells (defined as CD25(high) CD27(high) CD86(high) CD1d(high) IL-10(high) TGF-β(high)) with autologous stimulated CD4(+) T cells decreased significantly (in a dose-dependent way) the proliferative capacity of CD4(+) T cells. Furthermore, Foxp3 and CTLA-4 expression in Treg cells were enhanced by non-stimulated and further by ODN-CD40L stimulated Breg cells. The regulatory function of Breg cells on Treg cells was mainly dependent on a direct contact between Breg and Treg cells, but was also TGF-β but not IL-10 dependent. In conclusion, human Breg cells decrease the proliferation of CD4(+) T cells and also enhance the expression of Foxp3 and CTLA-4 in Treg cells by cell-to-cell contact.