慢性非细菌性前列腺炎/慢性骨盆疼痛综合征患者外周血Th1/Th2细胞的检测

目的:探讨慢性非细菌性前列腺炎/慢性骨盆疼痛综合征(CAP/CPPS)患者外周血Th1/Th2细胞分布的变化情况及其在CAP/CPPS临床分型中的意义。方法:采用流式细胞术检测35例CAP/CPPS患者和12例健康体检者外周血CD3+CD8-T细胞胞内细胞因子干扰素γ(IFN-γ)和白细胞介素4(IL-4)的表达。结果:与正常对照组相比,ⅢA型、ⅢB型CAP/CPPS患者的Th1细胞数均升高,Th1/Th2比值升高,差异有显著性(P<0.05),Th2细胞数差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);ⅢA型与ⅢB型患者比较,Th1、Th2细胞数与Th1/Th2比值差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:CAP/CPPS患者Th1型反应模式占优势状态,Th1/Th2平衡失调,Th1/Th2平衡向Th1方向变化,提示Th1细胞在CAP/CPPS的病理发生中可能起重要作用。     

B lymphopenia in uremia is related to an accelerated in vitro apoptosis and dysregulation of Bcl-2.

BACKGROUND: Lymphopenia has been described in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). It is postulated that the decline in lymphocytes is due to accelerated apoptosis. We investigated whether dysregulation of programmed cell death plays a role in the immunodeficiency described in CRF. METHODS: Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from pre-dialysis uraemic patients (nHD) and haemodialysed patients (HD) were cultured with no stimulus for 96 h. Apoptosis of lymphocytes was measured by propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry. Expression of Fas and Bcl-2 was also analysed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Peripheral blood B cells were significantly lower in pre-dialysis and haemodialysis uraemic patients compared to control. Lymphocytes from both groups of patients had a higher rate of apoptosis in vitro than those from healthy controls. This effect was more pronounced in B lymphocytes and a significant correlation between the B lymphopenia and the percentage of apoptotic B cells after 48 h of culture without stimulus was observed. The increased lymphocyte apoptosis in CRF was accompanied by a significantly lower in vitro Bcl-2 expression. However, Fas did not seem to play a role in spontaneous lymphocyte apoptosis in end-stage renal disease. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that B lymphopenia in CRF may be partially attributed to an increased susceptibility to cell death by apoptosis that is associated with a decreased expression of Bcl-2.     

Rat Renal Interstitial Fibroblasts Affect the Th1/Th2 Profile In Vitro

Background: T helper 1 (Th1)/T helper 2 (Th2) profile is pivotal in the development of fibrosis. Renal interstitial fibroblasts, which play a central role in the development of renal interstitial fibrosis, have an intimate relation with lymphocytes. However, there is little knowledge of the effect of fibroblasts on the profile of CD4 T-lymphocyte subsets. Methods: After coculture with rat renal interstitial fibroblasts, the proportions of Th1 and Th2 cells in CD4 T lymphocytes and the apoptosis rates of the two subsets were detected by flow cytometry. Galectin-9 expression in rat renal interstitial fibroblasts was detected by immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: After 48 h of coculture, rat renal interstitial fibroblasts increased the proportion of Th2 cells, lowering the ratio of Th1/Th2. Meanwhile, interferon-gamma production in Th1 cells was inhibited and interleukin-4 production in Th2 was promoted. After coculture with activated rat renal interstitial fibroblasts for 24 h, apoptosis of Th1 was more highly promoted than that of Th2 cells. In addition, rat renal interstitial fibroblasts induced stronger Th2 cell differentiation than that of Th1 cells in vitro. Rat renal interstitial fibroblasts expressed but did not secrete galectin-9 (an apoptosis-inducing factor for Th1 cells) in vitro and the expression level decreased when cocultured with CD4 T lymphocytes. Conclusions: Rat renal interstitial fibroblasts shift the Th1/Th2 profile in vitro, and this may be another pathway by which renal interstitial fibroblasts promote fibrosis.     

Peritoneal T cell responses can be polarized toward Th1 or Th2 in children on chronic peritoneal dialysis

Peritoneal T cell responses can be polarized toward Th1 or Th2 in children on chronic peritoneal dialysis. Previous studies on the peritoneal immune system described the presence of activated T lymphocytes in peritoneal effluents from subjects on chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD). Since Th1/Th2 polarized response can influence the outcome of specific infectious diseases, we investigated if activated Th1/Th2 cells can be detected in peritoneal effluents during peritoneal dialysis, in order to better understand the role of T cells in the mechanisms of peritoneal defense. We have studied 8 children (4 males, 4 females, mean age 5.8 +/- 5.7 years, range 0.3-13.4) on CPD. Peritoneal cells have been isolated from peritoneal effluents by centrifugation. Immunofluorescent staining of intracellular cytokines for flow cytometric analysis was used to detect the percentage of T cells producing either IFN-gamma (Th1) or IL-4 (Th2). In the initial study 3 months after CPD initiation, high percentages of IFN-gamma positive peritoneal T cells (38% and 63%) were detected in two subjects; this finding is consistent with a Th1 polarization of peritoneal T cells. In another subject, high percentages of IL-4 positive T cells (31%) were detected, suggesting a Th2 polarization of peritoneal T cell response. Small amounts of either Th1 or Th2 T cells (2-4%) were also detected in the other subjects. At the 1 year follow-up, Th1 polarization persisted in one subject (18% IFN-gamma positive peritoneal T cells), in another a shift from Th1 to Th2 was observed, and in the other subject a down regulation of both T cell subsets occurred. The finding that a predominance of T cells producing either IFN-gamma or IL-4 was found in 3 out of 8 children strongly suggests that peritoneal T cell responses can be polarized toward Th1 or Th2. The decrease of Th1 and/or Th2 polarized T cells in the peritoneum of 4 out of 6 subjects (after 1 year) suggests that CPD can play an immunosuppressive role on T cell peritoneal responses. Further studies are needed in order to define whether different T helper activation patterns are associated with a higher risk of peritoneal infection or of peritoneal damage.     

T lymphocyte subsets and Th1/Th2 balance after laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy

Background: Laparoscopic surgery provides for a less invasive procedure than open surgery in patients with gastric cancer, but the immune responses after laparoscopic surgery for early gastric cancer remain unknown. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 20 patients with early gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) or open distal gastrectomy (ODG) were obtained; the cell surface molecules and intracellular cytokines (IFN-gamma and IL-4) were measured by flow cytometry. Results: The populations of T lymphocytes after LADG, including CD3-, 4-, 8-, 57-, and HLA-DR-positive lymphocytes, showed patterns similar to those after ODG. The production of IFN-gamma as Th1 cell function decreased significantly on the third postoperative day after ODG but increased after LADG. The production of IL-4, representing Th2 cell function, increased postoperatively after ODG but not after LADG. Conclusions: When compared with ODG, LADG contributes to the preservation of postsurgical Th1 cell-mediated immune function.     

T-cell activation follows Th1 rather than Th2 pattern in haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Patients on chronic intermittent haemodialysis (HD) show an impaired cellular and humoral immune response that clinically appears with frequent infectious complications and low vaccination responses. This immune defect strongly correlates with reduced in vitro proliferative responses of T cells. The defect is localized in antigen presenting cells, which show a decreased co-stimulatory activity. Furthermore, the impaired immune response correlates with an increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In response to primary activation, CD4 positive T helper (Th) cells mainly differentiate into either Th1 or Th2 cells. Th1 cells support cell mediated immunity whereas Th2 cells enhance humoral immune responses. Since both types of responses mutually inhibit each other, the impaired humoral immune response seen in HD patients could either be due to a reduced number of Th2 cells or to a predominant Th1 response. METHODS: We analysed the Th cell profile in HD patients using flow cytometry. Monocytic cytokine expression was analysed using both flow cytometry and enzyme linked immunoadsorbant assays. RESULTS: Our data demonstrate that the cytokine differentiation profile in circulating T cells from HD patients is dysregulated and characterized by an increase in Th1 cells, but a normal amount of Th2 cells. Moreover, the skewed helper cell responses correlate with a higher percentage of monocytes capable of secreting the Th1 promoting cytokine interleukin 12 (IL-12). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of impaired cellular immune functions in dialysis patients and, in particular, the decreased antibody production after vaccination. They provide a link between overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-12) and imbalanced T-cell activation.     

不同透析膜对维持性血液透析患者外周血Ｔ细胞凋亡的影响

目的 研究终末期肾病(ESRD)患者外周血T细胞凋亡、Bcl-2和Fas的表达、Th1及Th2类细胞因子特征以及不同透析膜对维持性血液透析患者T细胞凋亡的影响。 方法 研究对象包括ESRD未透析(ND)患者10例；维持性血液透析(HD)的患者45例，分别用醋酸纤维素膜(CA)、低通聚砜膜(PS-LF)、高通聚砜膜(PS-HF)进行透析；以及健康对照(C)8例。上述研究对象的外周血T细胞经植物凝集素(PHA)刺激培养24 h后，应用流式细胞术检测其凋亡情况；免疫组化检测T细胞Bcl-2、Fas的表达；ELISA检测细胞培养上清IFN-γ及IL-4的水平。 结果 ND组及HD组T细胞凋亡率高于C组的(6.82±1.64)%。HD各组T细胞的凋亡率以CA组的(12.26±1.21)%最高，PS-HF组(9.00±0.89)%最低(P < 0.05)。ND组及HD组外周血T细胞Bcl-2的表达低于C组(P < 0.05)，Fas的表达高于C组(P < 0.05)；相关分析显示T细胞凋亡与Fas的表达呈正相关，与Bcl-2呈负相关。ND组及HD组IFN-γ的水平均低于C组(P < 0.05)，与T细胞凋亡呈负相关；IL-4的水平高于C组 (P < 0.05)，与T细胞凋亡呈正相关。 结论 ND组及HD组外周血T细胞凋亡加速，Bcl-2、Fas参与T细胞凋亡的发生。 ND组及HD组患者Th类细胞因子失衡，呈Th2细胞因子优势， Th类细胞因子参与T细胞凋亡的调控。HD患者的T细胞凋亡不仅与透析膜的生物相容性有关还与透析膜的通透性有关。     

Evaluation of airway inflammation by quantitative Th1/Th2 cytokine mRNA measurement in sputum of asthma patients

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways driven by T cell activation. Th2 cells and their cytokines are thought to play a role in the pathophysiology of allergic as well as non-allergic asthma. METHODS: Airway cells were obtained by sputum induction from 15 healthy and 39 asthmatic individuals and the airway T cell cytokine profiles (interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-10 and interferon (IFN)-gamma) at the mRNA level were studied by real time RT-PCR. RESULTS: Asthma patients had increased expression of IL-5 (p = 0.001) and IL-13 (p = 0.03) mRNA in sputum compared with non-asthmatic controls. IL-4 mRNA and IFN-gamma mRNA were detectable in the sputum of 44% and 21% of patients, respectively, but not in controls. Sputum IL-10 mRNA levels did not differ significantly between patients and controls. Sputum mRNA expression levels of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 were significantly correlated with the percentage of eosinophils and were higher in subjects with allergic asthma than in those with non-allergic asthma (p = 0.03, p = 0.02 and p = 0.0002, respectively); they did not differ between mild asthmatic subjects and those with moderate to severe asthma. In contrast, IFN-gamma mRNA expression was higher in non-allergic than in allergic patients (p = 0.04) and higher in patients with moderate to severe asthma than in those with mild asthma (p<0.01). Sputum IL-5 mRNA levels (but not the other cytokine mRNA levels) were also correlated with exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) and with bronchial hyperreactivity expressed as the histamine concentration resulting in a 20% decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 second. CONCLUSION: Real time RT-PCR analysis of mRNA in induced sputum confirms a predominance of Th2 cytokines in both allergic and non-allergic asthma. IL-5 levels reflect eosinophil infiltration as well as eNO levels and hyperreactivity, and levels of the Th1 cytokine IFN-gamma indicate asthma severity. The technique is a promising tool for use in further studies of asthma severity and disease activity.     

Effects of uraemia and haemodialysis on neutrophil apoptosis and expression of apoptosis-related proteins.

BACKGROUND: In haemodialysis (HD) patients, it is unclear whether increased apoptosis of neutrophils is due to uraemia or HD itself. The purpose of the current study was to assess the effect of uraemia and HD on the rate of apoptosis and apoptosis-related protein expression in whole blood neutrophils. METHODS: We employed a whole-blood micromethod to test spontaneous apoptosis and expression of apoptosis-regulating proteins in cultured neutrophils from uraemic patients (pre-HD), HD patients and healthy controls. Blood samples were drawn before, after 20 min and after 4 h of haemodialysis, and were then cultured for 20 h. We evaluated the rate of apoptosis from annexin V and propidium iodide staining, and examined bcl-2, Fas/Apo-1 and p53 expression in the cultured neutrophils. RESULTS: Fas/APO-1 expression and total percentage of apoptotic whole blood neutrophils of pre-HD and HD patients before HD were significantly higher than controls. There was a transient but significant decrease in the percentage of apoptotic neutrophils and Fas/APO-1 expression after 20 min of dialysis. The expression of bcl-2 protein was significantly lower from neutrophils in HD patients compared with controls, and HD significantly downregulated bcl-2 expression. The p53 protein content in HD patients before HD was significantly higher than in pre-HD patients. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that uraemia accelerates neutrophil apoptosis by increasing Fas/Apo-1, and that HD does not affect neutrophil apoptosis more than uraemia. In addition, HD produces only in a transient sequestration of potentially apoptotic neutrophils.     

结直肠癌患者外周血Th1和Th2细胞的检测与临床意义

目的 研究结直肠癌患者外周血CD4+T细胞亚群Th1和Th2细胞的比例以及相关特异性转录因子与细胞因子的表达水平,并观察其与临床分期之间的关系.方法 43名结直肠癌患者(肠癌组)与30名健康体检志愿者(对照组)作为研究对象.结直肠癌患者外周血Th1和Th2细胞占CD4+T细胞的比例运用流式细胞技术进行检测.采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(quantitative Real-time PCR),检测外周血Th1/Th2细胞亚群特异性转录因子的相对基因表达量.血浆细胞因子的表达水平使用液相芯片技术方法定量检测.结果 肠癌组外周血Th2细胞占CD4+T细胞的比例和Th2细胞特异性转录因子GATA-3的mRNA表达量均显著高于对照组(P<0.05).肠癌组外周血Th1细胞特异性转录因子T-bet的mRNA表达量显著低于对照组(P<0.05),但Th1细胞占外周血CD4+T细胞的比例与对照组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).血浆TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-15表达水平组间无显著差异(P>0.05).结直肠癌患者血浆IFN-γ、IL-4和IL-6的表达水平与病程分期有关(P<0.05).结论 结直肠癌患者外周血中Th1细胞比例变化不明显而Th2细胞比例明显升高.结直肠癌患者血浆细胞因子的不平衡表达可作为机体免疫状态转换与病情判断的指标.     

Differences in Type 1 and Type 2 intracytoplasmic cytokines, detected by flow cytometry, according to immunosuppression (cyclosporine A vs. tacrolimus) in stable renal allograft recipients

Recent multicenter, randomized clinical trials have shown that in renal transplant patients tacrolimus (FK506) was more efficient than cyclosporine A (CsA) at preventing acute rejection. In order to try and evaluate whether this difference was related to a different in vivo T-cell suppression we assessed, in a prospective study, the frequencies of interleukin (IL)-2-, IL-4-, IL-5-, IL-6-, IL-10-, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)- and double-positive IL-2/IFN-gamma-producing whole T cells, CD4 + and CD8 + T-cell subsets by means of cytokine flow cytometry. This was performed after in vitro stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and ionomycin, in the presence of monensin, in 14 healthy volunteers (controls) and in 14 renal transplant patients. The immunosuppression of the latter was based either on CsA (n = 7) or on FK506 (n = 7). Cytokine-expressing T-cell frequencies were assessed immediately pretransplantation (DO), and subsequently 3 months (M3) and 6 months (M6) afterwards in fasting patients prior to the morning intake of the immunosuppressive drug. We found that at DO the frequencies of IL-2-(22 +/- 2% vs. 22.2 +/- 2%), IFN-gamma-(26 +/- 3% vs. 29 + 3.4%) and IL-4-(0.8 +/- 0.2% vs. 1.4 +/- 0.2%)-expressing T lymphocytes were not significantly different between the controls and the patients, respectively. Conversely, the frequency of IL-2/IFN-gamma double positive cells was higher in the latter (9.3 +/- 1.6%) than in the controls (5.6 +/- 0.8); p = 0.06. Finally, on D0 the frequencies of IL-5-, IL-6-, and IL-10-producing T lymphocytes were lower than 1%, in both groups, as well as after grafting, i.e. on M3 and M6. As compared to baseline (DO): (a) chronic immunosuppression significantly decreased the frequencies of IL-2-, IL-4- and IL-2/IFN-gamma-expressing T cells, whereas those of IFN-gamma, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-10 were not significantly affected; (b) the frequencies of cytokine-expressing T cells were not statistically different between M3 and M6; (c) the decrease in the frequencies of IL-2- and IL-2/IFN-gamma-expressing T cells affected CD4 + and CD8 + cells equally; (d) there was a marginal decrease in the frequency of IFN-gamma-expressing cells only in the CD4 + subset but not in the CD8 population; and (e) for CsA, but not for FK506, the frequency of the IL-2-expressing T cells was negatively correlated with the whole blood trough levels. When we compared the frequencies of cytokine-expressing cells in FK506- and CsA-treated patients, we found that the frequency of IL-2-expressing T cells was significantly lower with FK506 (10.9+/-1.61%) than with CsA (16.3 +/- 1.8%; p = 0.03), whereas the frequencies of the other cytokine-expressing cells were not statistically different between the two groups. In conclusion, our study clearly demonstrated that studied ex vivo, FK506 and CsA decrease the frequencies of cells expressing IL-2, IL-4 and IL-2/IFN-gamma in vivo but do not affect those expressing IFN-gamma. Meanwhile, the frequency of IL-2-producing T cells was more affected with FK506 than with CsA and was negatively correlated with the CsA trough level. Finally, our results regarding IL-2 might explain to some extent the higher efficiency of FK506 in vivo than CsA.     

Th2 subset dominance among peripheral blood T lymphocytes in patients with digestive cancers

BACKGROUND: Two types of helper T cells (Th), which are categorized as Th1 and Th2 on the basis of cytokine production, have been reported. Th1 cells produce interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma, while Th2 cells secrete IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10. We assessed the intracellular cytokine profiles of CD3/CD4 positive lymphocytes (CD4+ T-cells) in peripheral blood in patients with digestive cancers. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 50 patients with digestive cancers and 35 healthy volunteers. The proportions of CD4+ T-cells producing intracellular cytokines were determined using flow cytometry. RESULTS: The percentages (mean +/- SD) of CD4+ T-cells producing IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 in the cancer group (73.9% +/- 13.0%, 73.0% +/- 16.6%, and 58.0% +/- 21.0%, respectively) were significantly higher than in the healthy group (37.4% +/- 12.4%, 37.8% +/- 13.5%, and 34.0% +/- 14.1%, respectively; P <0.01). Proportions of CD4+ T-cells producing IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 in 10 patients undergoing curative resection had decreased significantly 1 month after surgery (P <0.01). No significant difference was noted between groups in the percentages of CD4+ T-cells producing IFN-gamma. CONCLUSIONS: Th2-dominant status develops in cancer patients. Such lymphocyte evaluations could find applications in diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of cancer patients.     

Impaired Fas-induced apoptosis of T lymphocytes in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms

OBJECTIVE: Homeostasis of the immune system is maintained by apoptotic elimination of potentially pathogenic autoreactive lymphocytes. Emerging evidence shows that Fas-mediated apoptosis is impaired in activated lymphocytes from patients with autoimmune disease. The aim of this work was to assess apoptosis mediated by the cell death receptor Fas in peripheral T lymphocytes from patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). METHODS: The apoptotic pathway was triggered by anti-Fas monoclonal antibodies in cultured and activated peripheral T-cell lines from 20 AAA patients with control groups of 15 patients with aortic atherosclerotic occlusive disease (AOD) and 25 healthy individuals. Cell survival and death (apoptosis) rate were assessed. RESULTS: Cross-linkage of Fas receptor exerted a strong apoptotic response on T cells from AOD patients and healthy controls, but a much less pronounced effect on T cells from AAA patients. The evaluation of cell survival rate showed a significantly higher percentage in AAA group (98.9% +/- 10.3%) than in the AOD subjects (58.9% +/- 15.2%) or the healthy group (59.4% +/- 12.9%; P < .001). Apoptosis assessment by annexin V and propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry showed similar results. The defect in AAA group was not due to decreased Fas expression, since Fas was expressed at normal levels. Moreover, it specifically involved the Fas system because cell death was induced in the normal way by methylprednisolone. Complementary DNA sequencing identified no causal Fas gene mutation, but two silent single nucleotide polymorphisms with higher frequency were found in the AAA group. CONCLUSIONS: Fas-induced apoptosis in activated T cells from AAA patients is impaired. This may disturb the normal down-regulation of the immune response and thus provide a new insight into possible mechanisms and routes in the pathogenesis of AAA.     

凝血酶对狼疮肾炎末梢血单个核细胞分泌Th1/Th2细胞因子的影响

目的探讨狼疮肾炎(LN)患者凝血活性对其Th1/Th2平衡的影响。方法LN患者20例,按红斑狼疮病情活动指数(SLEDAI)分为稳定组11例(SLEDAI<9分),活动组9例(SLEDAI≥9分)。健康对照组8例。采集末梢血单个核细胞(PBMC),进行高、低浓度凝血酶刺激下体外培养。ELISA法检测培养液上清IL-10、IFN-γ水平。RT-PCR检测IL-10和IFN-γmRNA表达。结果凝血酶呈浓度依赖性上调LN患者PBMCIL-10表达,但不影响IFN-γ表达,故增加IL-10/IFN-γ比值。结论凝血酶加重狼疮肾炎患者PBMC分泌Th1/Th2细胞因子的平衡紊乱。     

原发性肾小球肾炎患者Th1/Th2细胞因子失平衡状况的研究

目的：探讨原发性肾小球肾炎（PGN）Th1／Th2细胞因子失衡情况，以及不同病理类型、不同病程对Th1／Th2失平衡的影响。方法：采用酶联免疫吸附（ELISA）法测定16例正常人及38例PGN患者血浆IL-18及IL-13水平，同时应用免疫组织化学检测6例正常肾组织和38例PGN患者肾组织IL-18及IL-13的表达量。结果：无论在肾组织抑或外周血，PGN患者IL-18水平及IL-13水平均较正常对照组显著上升（P均〈0．001），但肾组织抑或外周血IL-18／IL-13比率与正常对照组比较无统计学差异（P〉0．05）；在肾组织局部，除膜增生性肾小球肾炎（MPGN）患者IL一18／IL-13显著高于正常对照组（P均〈0．001）外，其他病理类型PGN患者IL-18／IL-13比率与正常人比较无统计学差异（P〉0．05），各病理类型PGN患者血浆IL-18／IL-13比率与正常对照组比较也无统计学差异；虽然外周血及肾组织IL-18及IL-13水平与血清肌酐（Ser）水平具有密切正相关关系，但IL-18／IL-13比率与Ser水平无相关关系（P〉0．05）。结论：除极个别病理类型外，PGN患者免疫紊乱状态似乎不能简单的按Th1优势／Th2优势进行二分法分类，其免疫紊乱状态远较此复杂，试图通过简单的调节Th1／Th2平衡来治疗PGN似乎仍缺乏坚实的理论及实验基础。     

Peripheral deletion of &ggr;&dgr; T cells in haemodialysis patients

Many patients with end-stage renal disease have altered host defenses against infectious agents. We have demonstrated that T cells, which play an important role in the immunological response, may undergo apoptosis by the Fas system in uraemia. To elucidate whether &ggr;&dgr; T cells, which function as a first defense against intracellular pathogens, are altered in number or characteristics in dialysis patients surface expressions of TCR, LFA-1 and Fas antigen on peripheral T cells were examined by immunofluorescence analysis. We demonstrated the proportions of peripheral &ggr;&dgr; T cells are altered significantly in haemodialysis (HD) patients. Interestingly, there were marked differences in the levels of expression of LFA-1 and Fas antigen between the two types of T cells. Moreover both the expression of LFA-1 and that of Fas antigen were enhanced significantly in HD patients compared with normal controls. These results suggest that circulating &ggr;&dgr; T cells may be susceptible to activation-induced cell death in comparison with &agr;{beta} T cells in uraemic environments. Key words: end-stage renal disease; FAS; &ggr;&dgr; T cells; LFA-1