抗CD137单克隆抗体对哮喘患者外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋T淋巴细胞死亡方式的影响

目的探讨抗CD啪单克隆抗体对哮喘患者外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋T淋巴细胞的影响。方法采用密度梯度离心法及尼龙棉柱法分离16例健康志愿者（对照组）及12例哮喘患者（哮喘组）外周血T淋巴细胞,磁性细胞分离器（MACS）分离得到CD4^＋CD25^＋T淋巴细胞,分别利用电镜及流式细胞仪观察、检测抗CD137单克隆抗体干预72h的细胞自噬率、凋亡率、胀亡率及FOXp3的表达。结果抗CD137单克隆抗体干预后两组外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋T淋巴细胞自噬率及凋亡率均增加,但哮喘组均低于对照组。结论抗CD137单克隆抗体可促进CD4^＋CD25^＋T淋巴细胞凋亡和自噬。     

CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞在特发性血小板减少性紫癜患者中的变化及意义

目的:通过检测特发性血小板减少性紫癜(ITP)患者治疗前后外周血CD4 CD25 调节性T细胞(regulatory T cell,Treg)的比例及变化规律,探讨Treg细胞在ITP发病中的可能作用。方法:采集30例急、慢性ITP患者治疗前、后和20例正常对照者的外周血标本,流式细胞仪检测Treg细胞的比例及变化,并评价其与血小板计数的相关性。结果:30例ITP患者治疗前Treg细胞的比例为(1.59±0.86)%,明显低于正常对照组(3.87±1.73)%(P<0.01),治疗后其比例显著升高,为(2.51±1.17)%,明显高于治疗前(P<0.01),但仍低于正常对照组(P<0.01);Treg细胞在治疗显效和良效组显著高于进步和无效组(P<0.01),进步组与无效组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);此外治疗前后Treg细胞比例与血小板计数呈显著正相关(P<0.05)。结论:ITP患者外周血Treg细胞比例降低,但随免疫抑制治疗的疗效逐渐升高,提示CD4 CD25 调节性T细胞可能参与了ITP的发病机制。     

心绞痛患者CD4^＋CD25^＋Foxp3^＋调节性T细胞检测及意义

目的 探讨不稳定型心绞痛患者外周血CD+4CD+25Foxp3+T细胞的水平及意义.方法 采用流式细胞分析法,检测26例不稳定型心绞痛(观察组)和36例健康对照者(对照组)外周血CD+4CD+25Foxp3+T细胞比例.结果 观察组的CD+4CD+25T细胞与CD+4T细胞比例为(7.18±2.37)%显著低于对照组的(8.81 ±1.50)%(P<0.05);观察组的CD+4CD+25Foxp3+T细胞与CD+4T细胞比例为(1.43±0.55)%也显著低于对照组的(1.75 ±0.58)%(P<0.05).结论 CD+4CD+25Foxp3+调节性T细胞比例降低可能打破了外周免疫耐受,参与了不稳定型心绞痛患者动脉粥样硬化的发生发展.     

ITP患者骨髓间质干细胞体外对CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg细胞增殖的影响

目的:体外研究免疫性血小板减少症(ITP)患者骨髓间质干细胞(MSCs)对CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg细胞的影响。方法:采用Ficoll分离ITP患者及健康对照者骨髓单个核细胞,通过体外培养,扩增出MSCs。通过Ficoll分离法和尼龙棉柱法获取ITP患者外周血T淋巴细胞,ITP患者MSCs经丝裂霉素C处理后按不同数量(1×103、1×104、1×105个细胞/孔)(A1、A2、A3组)接种培养板作为基底层细胞;健康对照者MSCs经丝裂霉素C处理后按不同数量(1×103、1×104、1×105个细胞/孔)(B1、B2、B3组)接种培养板作为基底层细胞;然后分别以2×105个细胞/孔接种体外分离纯化的ITP患者T淋巴细胞,设立空白组C组(ITP患者T淋巴细胞单独培养)。培养第3天各自收集T淋巴细胞,用流式细胞术检测各组CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg细胞比例。结果:在血凝素作用下,实验组及对照组各浓度亚组CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg细胞数量均较空白组明显减少(P0.05);A2组较B2组CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg细胞数量显著减少(P0.05),A3组较A2、B3组CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg细胞数量明显减少(P0.05)。结论:ITP患者可能存在MSCs质或量的改变,导致免疫调节功能异常,对CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg细胞增殖抑制作用明显加强,CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg细胞的不足引起外周免疫耐受减弱,MSCs的免疫调节功能异常可能在ITP发病过程中起重要作用。     

不同麻醉方式对老年肺癌根治术患者细胞免疫功能的影响

目的探讨不同麻醉方式对老年肺癌根治术患者细胞免疫功能的影响。方法 48例患者随机分为对照组和治疗组各24例,分别采用全麻和全麻复合硬膜外麻醉,记录患者恢复自主呼吸时间、轻呼睁眼时间及拔管时间;术前30 min(T0)、2 h(T1)、12 h(T2)、24 h(T3)、48 h(T4)抽取肘静脉血,流式细胞仪检测,统计CD3+、CD4+、CD4+/CD8+、CD4+CD25+和CD3-CD19+表达百分率。结果治疗组患者恢复自主呼吸时间、轻呼睁眼时间及拔管时间明显较短(P<0.05或P<0.01)。与T0相比,两组患者CD3+、CD4+、CD4+/CD8+、CD4+CD25+和CD3-CD19+在T1时开始降低,T2时降至最低值,T3、T4时恢复。组间相比,治疗组CD3+、CD4+CD25+和CD3-CD19+在T2、T3、T4时,及CD4+、CD4+/CD8+在T3、T4时下降幅度明显较小(P<0.05)。结论全麻复合硬膜外麻醉对T、B淋巴细胞亚群影响较小,更适合行肺癌根治术的老年患者。     

大强度运动对大鼠脾脏淋巴细胞、巨噬细胞、T淋巴细胞亚群的影响

目的探讨大强度运动对大鼠脾脏淋巴细胞、巨噬细胞、T淋巴细胞亚的影响。方法40只SD大鼠按体重随机分为安静组(A组,n=10)、运动组(B组,n=30),在最后一次力竭运动后,将B组大鼠分为运动后即刻组(B 1组,n=10)、运动后12 h组(B 2组,n=10),运动后24 h组(B 3组,n=10)。A组不运动,B组大鼠进行为期9 w的大强度训练,末次训练后,A组、B 1组摘取脾脏,制作脾细胞悬液,噻唑蓝(MTT)法分别测T淋巴细胞增殖能力、B淋巴细胞增殖能力,流式细胞仪测CD4^+、CD8^+细胞数。中性红比色法测巨噬细胞吞噬能力。B 2组、B 3组分别在运动后12 h、运动后24 h按上述方法测试。结果与A组相比,B 1组T淋巴细胞增殖、B淋巴细胞增殖、CD4^+、CD8^+、CD4^+/CD8^+、巨噬细胞吞噬能力显著降低,B 2组T淋巴细胞增殖、B淋巴细胞增殖、CD4^+、CD4^+/CD8^+显著降低,巨噬细胞吞噬能力差异无统计学意义,B 3组T淋巴细胞、B淋巴细胞增殖能力、CD4^+、CD8^+、CD4^+/CD8^+、巨噬细胞吞噬能力差异无统计学意义;与B 1相比,B 2组、B 3组T淋巴细胞增殖、B淋巴细胞增殖、CD4^+、CD8^+、CD4^+/CD8^+、巨噬细胞吞噬能力显著升高;与B 2相比,B 3组T淋巴细胞增殖、B淋巴细胞增殖、CD4^+均显著升高,CD8^+、CD4^+/CD8^+、巨噬细胞吞噬能力无显著差异。结论大强度运动后,大鼠脾脏、B淋巴细胞、T淋巴增殖能力降低、巨噬细胞吞噬能力降低、CD3^+、CD4^+、CD8^+、CD4^+/CD8^+降低,恢复期间逐步上升,其中CD8^+、CD4^+/CD8^+、巨噬细胞吞噬能力在恢复期12 h基本达到正常状态,T淋巴细胞增殖能力、B淋巴细胞增殖能力、CD4^+在恢复期24 h达到正常状态。     

依托咪酯对老年外科手术患者CD3~+、CD4~+、CD4~+/CD8~+及炎症状态的影响

目的探讨依托咪酯对老年外科手术患者免疫指标CD3~+、CD4~+、CD4~+/CD8~+及炎症状态的影响。方法全身麻醉(全麻)老年手术患者125例随机单盲法分为观察组63例给予依托咪酯麻醉,对照组62例给予丙泊酚麻醉,观察两组手术一般情况,入室(T0)、诱导后(T1)、手术开始后10 min(T2)、术毕(T3)、术后24 h(T4)时免疫指标(CD3~+、CD4~+、CD8~+、CD4~+/CD8~+比值)及炎症指标肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α、白细胞介素(IL)-6、IL-8、IL-10水平变化。结果两组手术一般资料无统计学差异(P>0.05),两组T0各项免疫指标差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),观察组T3免疫指标CD3~+、CD4~+均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),T1、T2、T3免疫指标CD3~+、CD4~+、CD8~+均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),两组T0各项炎症指标差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05),观察组T1、T2、T3各项炎症指标均显著高于T0(P<0.05),T4炎症指标IL-6、IL-8、IL-10显著高于T0(P<0.05),T2、T3各项炎症指标均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),T1炎症指标IL-6、IL-8显著高于对照组(P<0.05),T4炎症指标IL-8显著高于对照组(P<0.05),T4炎症指标IL-6、IL-8、IL-10显著高于同组T0(P<0.05)。结论依托咪酯对老年外科手术患者免疫功能影响较小,对炎症状态表现为抗炎状态。     

序贯治疗中ART启动时间对TB/HIV患者的免疫学影响分析

目的 探讨抗反转录病毒治疗(antiretroviral therapy,ART)序贯抗结核治疗(antituberculosis therapy,ATT)中ART启动时间对结核病(tuberculosis,TB)/HIV患者CD4+T、CD8+T细胞计数及CD4/CD8比值的影响.方法 收集云南省传染病医院2014年1月—2017年12月间收治入院的TB/HIV患者病历资料.根据ART启动时间分为A组(ART基础上启动ATT)、B组(ATT 8周内启动ART)、C组(ATT 8周后启动ART).分析比较48周随访期内3组的免疫学指标差异.结果 共收集TB/HIV患者193例,分为A组90例、B组77例和C组26例.基线时B组的CD4+T细胞计数低于A组和C组(P均<0.05).3组患者在48周随访期内CD4+T细胞计数、CD4/CD8比值均呈不同程度上升趋势(P均<0.05).A组和B组的CD4+T细胞计数在序贯治疗后开始上升(P均<0.05),而C组则延迟至24周开始上升(P<0.05).24周、48周时3组的CD4+T细胞计数差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05),B组的CD4+T细胞计数增幅高于A组和C组(P均<0.05).48周时,3组中仅少数患者的CD4+T细胞计数恢复至≥500 cells/μl,以B组恢复最为明显(12.99％).24周和48周时,CD4+T细胞计数≥500 cells/μl患者所占比例在3组之间差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05).结论 尚未开始ART的TB/HIV患者应尽早接受ART,以恢复免疫功能,ATT 8周内启动ART,免疫重建效果最佳.     

序贯治疗中ART启动时间对TB/HIV患者的免疫学影响分析

目的 探讨抗反转录病毒治疗(antiretroviral therapy,ART)序贯抗结核治疗(antituberculosis therapy,ATT)中ART启动时间对结核病(tuberculosis,TB)/HIV患者CD4+T、CD8+T细胞计数及CD4/CD8比值的影响.方法 收集云南省传染病医院2014年1月—2017年12月间收治入院的TB/HIV患者病历资料.根据ART启动时间分为A组(ART基础上启动ATT)、B组(ATT 8周内启动ART)、C组(ATT 8周后启动ART).分析比较48周随访期内3组的免疫学指标差异.结果 共收集TB/HIV患者193例,分为A组90例、B组77例和C组26例.基线时B组的CD4+T细胞计数低于A组和C组(P均<0.05).3组患者在48周随访期内CD4+T细胞计数、CD4/CD8比值均呈不同程度上升趋势(P均<0.05).A组和B组的CD4+T细胞计数在序贯治疗后开始上升(P均<0.05),而C组则延迟至24周开始上升(P<0.05).24周、48周时3组的CD4+T细胞计数差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05),B组的CD4+T细胞计数增幅高于A组和C组(P均<0.05).48周时,3组中仅少数患者的CD4+T细胞计数恢复至≥500 cells/μl,以B组恢复最为明显(12.99％).24周和48周时,CD4+T细胞计数≥500 cells/μl患者所占比例在3组之间差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05).结论 尚未开始ART的TB/HIV患者应尽早接受ART,以恢复免疫功能,ATT 8周内启动ART,免疫重建效果最佳.     

特发性血小板减少性紫癜患者CD8+T淋巴细胞免疫功能的研究

特发性血小板减少性紫癜(ITP)是一种自身免疫性疾病.近年来研究发现CD8+T淋巴可通过细胞毒作用对ITP患者的血小板造成破坏[1].本研究检测患者外周血单个核细胞中CD8+T淋巴细胞的数量、凋亡百分率及CD8+T淋巴细胞CX3CR1 mRNA的表达水平,进一步探讨CD8+T细胞免疫异常在ITP发病机制中的作用.     

Type-1 response in peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis

OBJECTIVE: In this study we performed single-cell analysis of the intracellular cytokine expression in peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes from patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) to investigate the type-1 response separately for the two lymphocyte sub-populations. DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients affected by HT and 20 healthy subjects, matched for sex and age, were enrolled. After the analysis of the lymphocyte sub-populations, the intracellular content of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in phorbolmyristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes was assayed. Moreover, the CD4+ lymphocytes were also evaluated for the intracellular expression of IL-4. RESULTS: No significant differences in CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes were found between HT patients and control subjects. However, the HT patients showed higher numbers of CD4+ IFN-gamma+, CD4+ IL-4+ and CD8+ IFN-gamma+ (t-test, P< or =0.001) cells than the control subjects. Analysing the intracellular expression of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in relation to thyroid function, we found that the euthyroid patients (18 cases) showed more expression of IL-4 in CD4+ lymphocytes than the control subjects, without any significant modification of IFN-gamma expression in CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes. However, the hypothyroid patients (11 cases) showed an increase of IFN-gamma expression in both CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes with respect to the control subjects and the euthyroid patients. Moreover, the expression of IL-4 in CD4+ cells from hypothyroid patients was significantly lower than that seen in the euthyroid cases and comparable to that found in the control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Our study has demonstrated that the peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes from the HT patients show a type-1 activation strictly correlated to the occurrence of hypothyroidism. Further studies will be needed to clarify the exact role of peripheral lymphocytes in HT and whether they could provide a reliable marker of thyroid immune involvement.     

肺结核患者外周血CD4~+T淋巴细胞凋亡与细胞因子相关性及临床意义研究

目的探讨肺结核患者外周血CD4+T淋巴细胞凋亡与血清IL-4、IL-6、TGF-β的相关性及其临床意义。方法分离结核病患者和健康者外周血单个核细胞,标记后用流式细胞仪测定CD4+T淋巴细胞凋亡率;采用酶联免疫吸附试验测定42例肺结核患者及28例健康人群血清IL-4、IL-6、TGF-β水平。结果结核病患者外周血CD4+T淋巴细胞凋亡率(15.8820±4.6500)显著高于对照组(7.9389±4.16564)(t=7.491,P<0.01),血清IL-4水平(0.6219±0.78565)较对照组(0.2120±0.07367)显著升高(t=2.732,P<0.05)。肺结核患者中涂阳组IL-6水平(0.0602±0.01833)较涂阴组(0.0905±0.05023)显著升高(t=-2.296,P<0.05),TGF-β水平复治组(0.1128±0.04704)较初治组(0.0748±0.01659)显著升高(t=-3.019,P<0.05)。外周血CD4+T淋巴细胞凋亡率与IL-4水平呈正相关(r=0.366,P<0.05);血清IL-6的含量与TGF-β的含量呈正相关(r=0.829,P<0.01)。结论结核病患者CD4+T淋巴细胞凋亡率显著增加,可能与肺结核感染免疫有关;IL-4、IL-6和TGF-β是抗结核感染免疫的重要调节因子,其血清水平可作为监测病情活动和转归的重要指标。     

CD28/CTLA-4:B7在特发性血小板减少性紫癜患者外周血淋巴细胞中的表达及意义

目的:探讨特发性血小板减少性紫癜(ITP)患者外周血淋巴细胞CD28、CTLA-4(CD152)、B7-1(CD80)及B7-2(CD86)的表达及意义。方法:采用免疫荧光标记和流式细胞术检测41例ITP患者和40例健康对照者外周血CD3+CD28+细胞、CD3+CD152+细胞、CD80+CD19+细胞和CD86+CD19+细胞分别占淋巴细胞的比例及血小板表面相关抗体水平,进行2组对比、分析。结果:与正常对照组相比,急性ITP患者外周血CD3+CD28+细胞和CD3+CD152+细胞差异无统计学意义(P0.05),CD80+CD19+细胞增多(P0.05),CD86+CD19+细胞显著增多(P0.01),慢性ITP患者CD86+CD19+细胞增多(P0.05);急性ITP患者外周血CD86+CD19+细胞较慢性ITP患者增多(P0.05);与正常对照组相比,急性ITP患者PAIg's、PAIgG和PAIgM水平显著增高,慢性ITP患者PAIgG水平增高;CD80、CD86表达与PAIgG水平之间存在显著的相关性(均P0.01)。结论:ITP患者外周血B淋巴细胞上CD86和CD80表达均异常,可能与其发病相关。     

结核病小鼠T淋巴细胞亚群及其表达的四项细胞因子分析

目的 探讨T淋巴细胞(简称T细胞)表达穿孔素(PFN)、颗粒酶B(GzmB)、γ-干扰素(IFN-γ)、白细胞介素-2(IL-2)与结核免疫的关系.方法 60只MK小鼠按随机数字表法分成结核病组和健康对照组,每组30只.以CD3PerCP、CD4FTTC、CD8APC单抗标记T细胞亚群,以藻红蛋白标记PFN、GzmB、IFN-γ、IL-2单抗标记细胞因子,以流式细胞仪检测分析总的淋巴细胞、CD3+、CD4+、CD8+、CD4+CD8+;双阳(DP)T细胞计数和各亚群占淋巴细胞百分率,观察各T细胞亚群内表达PFN、GzmB、IFN-γ、IL-2的阳性细胞计数和各自占淋巴细胞百分率.采用t检验进行统计学分析.结果 (1)CD4+CD8+、DP T细胞均能不同程度地表达PFN、GzmB、IFN-γ、IL-2.PFN、GzmB的表达以CD8+T细胞占优势.IFN-γ、IL-2的表达以CD4+T细胞占优势.(2)T细胞亚群细胞计数结果与T细胞亚群占总淋巴细胞百分率结果,所反映的T细胞免疫变化趋势可能相似,也可能不同甚至相反.(3)两组间表达PFN的T细胞差别不明显,但结核病组表达GzmB的各个T细胞亚群计数和CD3+%、CD8+%、DP%高于对照组(t值为-3.72～4.13.均P<0.05).(4)结核病组表达IFN-γ的CD3+、CD4+T细胞计数高于对照组;但结核病组表达IL-2的CD8+、DP T细胞计数和CD3+%、CD4+%、CD8+%、DP%均低于对照组(t值为2.62～3.46,均P<0.05).结论 、CD,4+、CD8+、DPT细胞均能不同程度地表达PFN、GzmB、IFN-γ、IL-2;联合评价T细胞各亚群计数和其占淋巴细胞百分率更能判断免疫学状态.     

Involvement of CD4+,CD57+ T cells in the disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between the frequency of peripheral CD57+ T cells and the physical status of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and to perform cytokine analysis of these CD57+ T cells. METHODS: Four-color fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis was performed to detect both cell surface antigens and intracellular cytokines in peripheral blood leukocytes, using monoclonal antibodies against CD3, CD4, CD8, CD57, interferon-gamma (IFNgamma), and interleukin-4 (IL-4). RA patients were clinically evaluated with a modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (M-HAQ), joint score, face scale, and visual analog scale (VAS) assessing pain and disease activity. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between the frequency of CD4+,CD57+ T cells and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), whereas a correlation was not found between the frequency of CD8+,CD57+ T cells and ESR. The frequency of CD4+,CD57+ T cells also showed a significant correlation with the mHAQ score, VAS, and face scale. Again, there was no significant correlation between the above-mentioned clinical scores and the frequency of CD8+,CD57+ T cells. Flow cytometric analysis of intracellular cytokines revealed that 14.5% of the CD57+ T cells produced IFNgamma, whereas only 2.8% of the CD57+ T cells produced IL-4 in RA patients. CONCLUSION: Evidence showing that the frequency of CD4+,CD57+ T cells among CD3+ cells of RA patients had a significant correlation not only with ESR but also with the physical status of the patients, and that a large proportion of the CD4+,CD57+ T cells had the capacity to produce IFNgamma, strongly suggests that these CD4+,CD57+ T cells are involved in the immunopathogenesis of RA.     

多房棘球蚴感染宿主CD4~+T淋巴细胞缺失机制的探讨

目的探讨多房棘球蚴感染宿主CD4~+T淋巴细胞缺失的机制,多房棘球蚴感染与宿主T淋巴细胞亚群凋亡相互关系。方法利用尼龙柱和补体法从多房棘球蚴感染12wk,25wk和正常对照组BALB/c小鼠脾脏分离出纯CD4~+、CDS8~+T细胞,在体外分别经多房棘球蚴抗原(EmAg)、抗CD3抗原(anti-CD3)、白细胞介素-2(IL-2)、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNFα)及商陆丝裂原(PWM)刺激培养16h,用DNA凝胶电泳分析;透射电镜观察形态学变化;原位末端标记法(Tunel)和碘化丙锭(PI)双染后,流式细胞仪(FCM)分析凋亡细胞数和凋亡发生的细胞周期。结果感染25wk小鼠,CD4~+T细胞DNA电泳图均出现典型“梯形”条带,透射电镜见染色质浓染、胞质出泡、凋亡小体形成;CD8~+T细胞DNA电泳国无梯形带,透射电镜见染色质浓染,电子密度增强。FCM分析,感染12wk小鼠,CD4~+、CD8~+T细胞凋亡数与正常对照组差异无显著性意义(P>0.05);感染25wk小鼠,CD4~+T细胞凋亡数较正常对照组显著增高(P<0.01),也显著高于同组CD8~+T细胞(P<0.01)。凋亡主要发生在细胞周期S期。结论多房棘球蚴寄生宿主后期,可诱导宿主成熟CD4~+T细胞发生活化诱导性死亡(AICD),使宿主处于免疫抑制状态。     

Increase in CD95 (Fas/APO-1)-positive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood derived from patients with autoimmune hepatitis or chronic hepatitis C with autoimmune phenomena

BACKGROUND: The expressions of CD95 (Fas/APO-1) and Bcl-2 are determinants of apoptosis in normal lymphocytes, and abnormalities in their expressions might contribute to the induction of autoimmunity. In this study, we examined the expressions of CD95 and Bcl-2 on freshly isolated T and B cells from patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) or chronic hepatitis C associated with autoimmune phenomena (CH-C(AI)). METHODS: The CD95 and Bcl-2 expressions within CD4+ T, CD8+ T, and CD19+ B cell subsets were analysed by two-colour flow cytometry. RESULTS: The surface expression of CD95 was significantly high in both the CD4+ T and CD8+ T cell subsets derived from the patients with AIH and those with CH-C(AI), compared with expression in patients with CH-C and normal subjects. The increase in CD95 expression was associated with the phenotypic conversion of naive CD45RO- to primed CD45RO+ CD4+ T cells. Bcl-2 was detected in the vast majority of peripheral T and B cells. There was no significant difference in the percentage of Bcl-2-positive cells in the CD4+ T cell, CD8+ T cell and CD19+ B cell subsets among the patient groups and normal subjects. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that an increase in CD4+ T cells expressing CD45RO and CD95 marks an important subset of AIH and CH-C(AI) patients. These expanded CD95+ CD45RO+ primed T cells most likely reflect a continuous antigen-specific or non-specific activation of T lymphocytes, and/or the persistent presence of activated lymphocytes as a consequence of abnormalities in the peripheral deletion of activated lymphocytes. These persistently activated lymphocytes might play a role in the induction of autoimmunity in AIH and CH-C(AI).     

Parallel decline of CD8＋CD38＋ lymphocytes and viremia in treated hepatitis B patients

AIM:To assess the peripheral T lymphocyte subsets in chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection,and their dynamics in response to adefovir dipivoxil monotherapy.METHODS:Proportions and absolute counts of peripheral natural killer cells,B cells,CD8+,CD4+,CD8+ CD38+,CD8+CD28+ and CD4+CD28+ T cells were determined using three-color flow cytometry in chronic hepatitis B patients(n = 35),HBV carriers(n = 25) and healthy controls(n = 35).Adefovir dipivoxil was initiated in 17 chronic hepatitis B patients who were r...     

Influence of longterm therapy with methotrexate and low dose corticosteroids on type 1 and type 2 cytokine production in CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease with predominance of type I cytokine [interleukin 2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)] production. In this prospective study, we evaluated the influence of longterm therapy with methotrexate (MTX) in combination with low dose corticosteroids on the type 1/type 2 cytokine balance in RA. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 10 controls and 20 patients with RA before therapy and after 12 mo of therapy with MTX in combination with low dose corticosteroids. Using flow cytometry, the intracellular production of IL-2, IFN-gamma, and IL-4 was measured in CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls, patients with RA before therapy showed an increased percentage of IL-2 positive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells (p = 0.002, p = 0.01, respectively). An increased percentage of IFN-gamma positive CD8+ T cells was found (p = 0.0006) compared with the control group. After 12 months of therapy, a significantly decreased percentage of IL-2 positive CD4+ T cells and IFN-gamma positive CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes was observed (p = 0.0003, p = 0.0007, p = 0.001). The percentage of IL-4/IFN-gamma positive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was significantly higher after 12 months of therapy (p = 0.01, p = 0.02). There was a positive correlation between the percentage of IFN-gamma positive CD4+ T cells and disease activity variables (Ritchie Index and number of swollen joints) in RA patients before therapy (r = 0.6, p = 0.04 and r = 0.4, p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Longterm therapy with MTX in combination with low dose corticosteroids for RA influenced the predominance of type 1 cytokines toward normalization of the cytokine balance in both CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes.