OX40信号调节抑制小鼠CD4+CD25+调节性T淋巴细胞Foxp3的表达

目的 探讨共刺激信号OX40对体外诱导的小鼠CD4+ CD25+适应性调节性T淋巴细胞(iTreg)的Foxp3表达的影响.方法 制备C57BL/6小鼠淋巴细胞悬液,经免疫磁珠法分选,获得CD4+ CD25-静息T淋巴细胞,与抗CD3单克隆抗体、抗CD28单克隆抗体、转化生长因子β1、白细胞介素2共孵育,诱导产生Foxp3+ iTreg.在此基础上,于培养体系中加入OX40激动型抗体及其对照抗体,利用流式细胞仪分析研究OX40信号刺激对iTreg Foxp3表达的影响.结果 C57BL/6小鼠淋巴结中CD4+ CD25+天然调节性T淋巴细胞(Treg)比例为(5.0±0.4)％,体外诱导培养的CD4+CD25+ Treg比例为(71.8±13.4)％,其中Foxp3阳性表达占(74.9±1.9)％.OX40激动型抗体组CD4+ CD25+ Treg细胞比例为(80.0±1.6)％,其中Foxp3表达水平为(59.2±0.7)％;OX40激动型抗体对照抗体组CD4+ CD25+ Treg细胞比例为(86.0±1.4)％,其中Foxp3表达水平为(70.0±0.8)％,两组间差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 静息T淋巴细胞可以在体外诱导培养获得高纯度iTreg;OX40信号刺激可以显著抑制CD25+ iTreg细胞Foxp3的表达.     

肝癌病人外周血中CD4+CD25+FOXP3+调节性T淋巴细胞表达水平的临床研究

目的 了解CD4+CD25+FOXP3+T调节性T细胞在肝癌病人外周血中的表达水平并探讨其临床意义.方法 应用流式细胞术测定18例肝癌病人外周血CD4+CD25+FOXP3+调节性T细胞占CD4+T淋巴细胞百分比,并与26例l临床对照者和24例健康对照者进行比较.结果 肝癌病人外周血中CD4+CD25+T细胞占CD4+T细胞百分比(4.25%±3.98%)明显高于临床对照组(1.34%±1.14%)及健康对照组(1.29%±0.95%)(P＜0.01),而两个对照组之间并无显著性差异(P＞0.05).CD4+CD25+FOXP3+T细胞在肝癌病人外周血所占CD4+T细胞比率(2.94%±0.91%)也较临床对照组(0.76%±0.34%)及健康对照组(0.81%±0.29%)显著升高(P＜0.001),且升高幅度强于CD4+CD25+T细胞水平,两个对照组之间并无显著性差异(P＞0.05).结论 CD4+CD25+FOXP3+T细胞是更为准确的调节性T细胞,其在肝癌病人外周血中表达水平明显升高,检测CD4+CD25+FOXP3+T水平对肝癌的预防治疗具有重要临床意义.     

前列腺癌患者外周血中CD4+CD25high调节性T细胞及调节因子TGF-31和COX-2的表达

目的:通过检测前列腺癌患者以及健康志愿者外周血中CD4+ CD25high调节性T细胞、TGF-β1及COX-2的表达,初步探讨CD4+ CD25high调节性T细胞在前列腺癌发病机制中的作用及其与TGF-β1和COX-2的相关性.方法:应用流式细胞术检测30例前列腺癌患者治疗前后(其中前列腺癌局限组11例,非局限组19例)及20例健康志愿者外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)中CD4+ CD25high调节性T细胞占CD4+T细胞的比例;应用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测其外周血清中TGF-β1和COX-2的表达.对前列腺癌患者上述指标进行术前术后对比分析,另对CD4+ CD25high调节性T细胞与TGF-β1及COX-2的相关性进行分析;并探讨上述指标在前列腺癌患者局限组和非局限组间是否存在差异性.结果:流式细胞术检测显示,前列腺癌患者治疗前PBMC中CD4+ CD25high调节性T细胞占CD4+T细胞的比例为(18.32±7.49)%,高于健康志愿者对照组(7.77±1.86)%(P＜0.05).前列腺癌患者治疗后其比值为(17.34±5.87)%,较治疗前稍减低,但两者相比无显著差异(P＞0.05).ELISA检测外周血清中TGF-β1和COX-2显示,前列腺癌组分别为(215.97±55.16) ng/ml和(6.88±5.14) ng/ml,对照组分别为(149.75±:47.11) ng/ml和(5.65±2.69) ng/ml;前列腺癌患者外周血清中TGF-β1的表达水平高于健康志愿者对照组(P＜0.05),COX-2的表达水平与对照组无显著差异(P＞0.05).通过多重线性回归分析表明,前列腺癌患者PBMC中C14+ CD25high调节性T细胞的表达与血清中TGF-β1和COX-2的表达无显著相关.前列腺癌局限组和非局限组外周血中CD4+ CD25 high调节性T细胞、TGF-β1及COX-2的表达均无显著性差异(P＞0.05).结论:前列腺癌患者PBMC中CD4+ CD25high调节性T细胞可能参与前列腺癌的发生,其增殖机制与血清中TGF-β1和COX-2的表达无关,可能与肿瘤本身及肿瘤局部微环境相关.     

精索静脉曲张不育患者CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Foxp3~+调节性T细胞的检测及临床意义

目的:探讨精索静脉曲张(VC)不育症患者外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节性T细胞(Treg)的变化及其临床意义。方法:72例VC不育症患者(VC组)作为研究对象,以30例非VC且正常生育者为对照(对照组)。流式细胞术检测外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节性T细胞的比例,ELISA法检测血清抗精子抗体(AsAb)水平,计算机辅助精液分析系统检测精液参数。结果:VC组的精子浓度、活率及活力均低于对照组(P0.05),精子畸形率及AsAb阳性率高于对照组(P0.05);Ⅲ度VC组CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节性T细胞在总CD4+T细胞所占比例低于正常生育组(P0.05)。AsAb阳性VC组的精子活率、精子活力及CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节性T细胞占总CD4+T细胞比例均低于AsAb阴性VC组(P0.05),相关分析提示AsAb的存在与Treg/CD4+T比例、精子活率及精子活力负相关(r=-0.245,P0.05;r=-0.314,P0.05;r=-0.263,P0.05)。结论:精索静脉曲张不育患者外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节性T细胞的水平降低,且AsAb阳性组患者更低,这群调节性T细胞的异常可能是导致精索静脉曲张免疫性不育的重要因素之一。     

胃癌患者手术前后CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的变化

目的 研究胃癌患者手术前、后调节性T细胞(Treg)及FoxP3表达的变化.方法 采用流式细胞术检测20例胃癌患者术前及其中15例接受了手术者术后1周(简称术后)以及15例因胃部不适接受胃镜检查的自愿者(正常对照组)外周血中Treg数量的变化,用RT-PCR法检测Treg的特异性分子标志物FoxP3的转录水平,同时用免疫组织化学法检测胃癌组织中FoxP3蛋白的表达情况.结果 胃癌患者术前外周血中CD4+T细胞中的CD4+ CD25+比例明显高于正常对照组[(19.39±5.58)%比(9.91±3.23)%,P＜0.01],而术后CD4+ CD25+比例较术前明显下降[(13.50±5.93)%比(19.39±5.58)%,P＜0.05].胃癌患者术前外周血中FoxP3转录水平明显高于正常对照组(0.86±0.03比0.64±0.02,P＜0.01),而术后较术前明显下降(0.73±0.04比0.86±0.03,P＜0.05),提示FoxP3转录水平与Treg变化一致.胃癌患者外周血中CD4+T细胞在单个核细胞中的比例与正常对照组相比明显下降(P＜0.01),而手术前、后变化不明显.20例胃癌患者中13例胃癌癌细胞的细胞浆中有不同程度的FoxP3蛋白表达(强阳性2例,中阳性6例,弱阳性5例),7例胃癌患者的胃癌细胞中不表达.结论 Treg可能通过免疫抑制作用在胃癌的发生、发展中发挥作用,肿瘤组织本身可能是引起Treg变化的重要始动因素.     

免疫磁珠两步法分离大鼠脾脏CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞

目的探索利用磁性细胞分离(MACS)系统高效、快速地分离大鼠脾脏CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞.方法采用免疫磁珠两步法分离大鼠脾脏内的CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞, 首先采用"鸡尾酒"抗体和抗IgG磁珠阴性分选CD4+ T细胞,再用抗CD25-PE抗体和抗PE磁珠阳性分选获得CD4+CD25+T 细胞.分离后的细胞经流式细胞仪检测分离纯度; 台盼蓝染色检测细胞存活率; 体外增殖实验检测其对CD4+CD25-T细胞的免疫抑制作用.结果阴性分选获得的CD4+T细胞纯度为(83.6±2.5)%(79%～87%), 阳性分选后获得的CD4+CD25+T细胞纯度为(90.2±1.8)%(86%～93%), 细胞存活率为(92.8±3.4)%(92%～95%), 体外增殖实验表明,CD4+CD25+T细胞能明显抑制CD4+CD25-T 细胞的增殖(P＜0.01). 结论采用MACS系统阴性加阳性分选可以高效、快速地获得理想纯度和有免疫抑制功能的大鼠CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞.     

不同分期前列腺癌患者外周血CD4~+ CD25~+ Foxp3~+调节性T细胞的变化及与胰岛素抵抗的相关性

目的 :观察不同分期前列腺癌患者外周血单个核细胞CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节性T细胞的变化及与胰岛素抵抗的关系。方法:采用流式细胞术检测62例前列腺癌患者(患者组,临床TNM分期Ⅰ期5例、Ⅱ期16例、Ⅲ期21例、Ⅳ期20例)外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)中CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节性T细胞数目,计算CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节性T细胞占CD4+T淋巴细胞的百分率;并检测其空腹胰岛素及空腹血糖水平,计算胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR);采用ELISA法测定外周血胰岛素样生长因子1(IGF-1)水平,分析CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节性T细胞与胰岛素抵抗的相关性,并与42例健康体检者进行对照。结果:与健康对照组相比,前列腺癌患者HOMAIR明显升高(6.68±1.66 vs 3.68±1.42),IGF-1水平明显下降[(96.39±21.21)ng/ml vs(164.56±30.58)ng/ml],PBMC CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg占CD4+T淋巴细胞的百分率[(13.88±0.96)%vs(5.33±0.65)%]及CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg绝对值[(3.55±0.29)×107vs(1.99±0.78)×107]明显升高(P0.05,P0.01)。患者PBMC CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg占CD4+T淋巴细胞的百分率及CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg绝对数﹑HOMA-IR均随TNM分期逐渐加重而增加,IGF-1逐渐下降;相关性分析表明:CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg/CD4+T及CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg绝对数均与HOMA-IR呈明显正相关(r分别为0.689、0.722,P0.01),与IGF-1呈明显负相关(r分别为-0.896、-0.747,P0.01)。结论:前列腺癌患者存在不同程度的胰岛素抵抗,且随着疾病程度的加重,外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节性T细胞数目和比例及胰岛素抵抗逐渐加重;CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节性T细胞可能通过调节胰岛素抵抗参与其形成和发展。     

主动免疫治疗对反复胚胎植入失败患者CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞表达的影响

目的 探讨淋巴细胞主动免疫治疗对反复胚胎植入失败(RIF)患者外周血CD4+ CD25+调节性T淋巴细胞(CD4+CD25+Treg)表达的影响. 方法 选择在郑州大学第三附属医院生殖中心就诊的30例RIF患者(RIF组),采用荧光标记流式细胞分析技术,检测其淋巴主动免疫治疗前、后2周的外周血CD4+CD25+Treg表达,并选择同期正常未妊娠妇女20例作对照(对照组). 结果 (1)RIF组治疗前CD4+CD25+Treg占CD4+T细胞的比例显著低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);(2)RIF组治疗后CD4+CD25+Treg的表达率明显高于治疗前,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05). 结论 RIF的发生可能与CD4+CD25+Treg的表达下降有关;淋巴细胞主动免疫治疗可上调CD4+CD25+Treg的表达,调控母胎免疫耐受,有利于胚胎植入成功.     

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞对同种胰岛移植免疫耐受的影响

目的 观察体外分离的CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞对同种胰岛移植免疫耐受的影响.方法 免疫磁珠法分离CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞,体外试验观察其对CD4+CD25-T细胞增殖的影响.将数量达1×106的CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞回输胰岛移植受体,对比其对移植物存活的影响.结果 分离的CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞体外试验可明显抑制CD4+CD25-T细胞的增殖.单纯胰岛移植组移植物物存活期为(5.57±0.79)d,回输受体CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞数量1×106、2×106时,胰岛移植物存活时间分别为(15.29±2.29)d和(25.43±2.30)d(P《0.01).CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞回输胰岛移植受体可显著延长移植物存活期,诱导免疫耐受的作用为剂量依赖性.结论 CD+CD25+调节性T细胞体外、体内试验可抑制效应性T细胞功能,诱导胰岛移植免疫耐受.     

肝癌患者外周血CD4~+CD25~+调节性T细胞的变化及其意义

目的 探讨应用流式细胞术检测肝癌患者外周血中CD4~+CD25~+调节性T细胞的变化及意义.方法 应用三色免疫荧光流式细胞仪测定37例肝癌患者及30例肝硬化患者外周血T细胞亚群CD4~+CD25~+/CD~+比值.采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测外周血中转化生长因子β1(TGF-B1)的表达水平.结果 肝癌患者外周血CD4~+CD25~+/CD4~+比值较肝硬化患者显著增高,两者比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);肝癌患者外周血中CD4~+CD25~+T细胞水平与肝癌原发肿瘤的大小、TGF-βl呈正相关(P<0.05).结论 肝癌患者外周血中CD4~+CD25~+调节性T细胞增多,对肝癌患者具有免疫抑制作用.     

Evaluation of lymphocytes CD4+ and CD8+ and expression of ZAP-70 kinase on CD3+ and CD19+ lymphocytes in obese patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background

Obesity has become a global epidemic and a leading metabolic disease in the world. Laparoscopic surgeries may influence the function of the immunologic system. The percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte cells have been described as prognostic factors for patients undergoing abdominal surgeries. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte cells, the ratio of CD4+ to CD8+ cells, and the ZAP-70 kinase expression on T CD3+ and B CD19+ cells in obese and normal-weight individuals undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

Methods

The study group consisted of 46 asymptomatic patients with gallstones shown by ultrasound examination but without signs of any gallbladder complications. The patients underwent planned LC. Blood samples were obtained at three times, and the percentages of studied cells were measured by flow cytometry. Patients were enrolled to two groups: N group (body mass index [BMI], ≤25 kg/m²) and O group (BMI, ≥30 kg/m²). For statistical analysis, the Mann–Whitney U test and the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test were used. All p values lower than 0.05 were considered significant.

Results

The percentage of CD4+ T cells did not differ between the N and O groups before or after the surgery. Only in the N group did the percentage of CD4+ lymphocytes increase from 0 to 48 h. A higher percentage of CD8+ lymphocytes was observed in the O group postoperatively than in the N group. Differences of ZAP-70 kinase expression in the O group were observed at 24 and 48 h of the study. Decreased expression of ZAP-70 kinase was shown in the N group at both 0–24 and 24–48 h. In the O group, this tendency was noted at 24–48 h.

Conclusions

Immunologic activation after LC was confirmed in both weight groups. However, higher modulation, more typical for open surgeries, was observed in the obese group.     

肝癌、肝硬化组织中CD3、CD57、CD20细胞数量与临床病理表现及预后的关系

目的探讨CD3、CD57、CD20细胞在原发性肝细胞癌(HCC)、癌旁、肝硬化及正常肝组织中的数量及意义.方法HCC 60例,单纯性肝硬化62例,正常肝组织23例,以免疫组化SP法进行CD3、CD57、CD20染色,对阳性细胞数进行定量分析并与临床资料进行相关探讨.结果(1)各组CD3+细胞平均数从高到低为癌旁组织、癌组织、肝硬化组织、正常肝组织(P＜0.05);各组CD57+细胞平均数从高到低为癌组织、癌旁组织、正常肝组织、肝硬化组织(P ＜0.05);各组CD20+细胞平均数从高到低为癌组织、癌旁组织、肝硬化组织、正常肝组织(P ＜0.01).(2)HCC中CD3+细胞、CD57+细胞、CD20+细胞与组织学分级均无明显关系.(3)HCC中CD57+细胞和CD20+细胞随着临床分期的发展有下降的趋势(P ＜0.05);HCC中CD3+细胞平均数与临床TNM分期无关.(4)HCC中15月内有转移组的CD57+、CD3+细胞数均少于无转移组(P＜0.01).HCC患者15月内有无转移与HCC和癌旁组织中的B细胞分布均无关.结论临床上,随着HCC患者的病情恶化,CD3+、CD57+、CD20+细胞逐渐减少.CD3+、CD57+、CD20+细胞可成为反映机体抗肿瘤特异性细胞免疫状态和生物学行为及判断患者预后的重要指标.     

Acceleration of apoptosis in CD4+CD8+ thymocytes by rapamycin accompanied by increased CD4+CD25+ T cells in the periphery

BACKGROUND: Rapamycin (Rapa) is an immunosuppressant that is used in patients and animal models to control allograft rejection. Its mechanisms of action are not fully understood. In this article, the authors have investigated the effects of therapeutic doses of Rapa on both thymic and peripheral T-cell populations in the adult rat. METHODS: The therapeutic dosage of Rapa was optimized using cardiac transplantation between LEW and DA rats. Thymic morphology was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Flow cytometric analysis was performed to analyze T-cell phenotype and apoptosis. T-cell receptor (TCR)-mediated T-cell responsiveness was evaluated by 3[H]-thymidine deoxyribose incorporation. RESULTS: Rapa induced atrophy in the thymus but not in peripheral lymphoid organs. Moreover, fibrosis occurred in thymus that was long-lasting after Rapa withdrawal. In animals treated with Rapa, there was a significant reduction in CD4+CD8+ thymocytes caused by accelerated apoptosis, whereas CD4-CD8-, CD4+CD8-, and CD8+CD4- populations remained unaffected. In contrast, the cellularity of the periphery lymphoid organs was not altered. Within the CD4+ thymocyte population, CD4+CD25+ thymocytes were resistant to Rapa-accelerated apoptosis, and in the periphery, the ratio of CD4+CD25+ to CD4+CD25- T cells was increased. Notably, the peripheral CD4+CD25+ T cells were hyporesponsive to TCR-mediated activation. CONCLUSIONS: The resistance of the peripheral CD4+CD25+ T cells to Rapa treatment might contribute to its immunosuppressive action. The long-term effects of Rapa on thymus atrophy and thymocyte development requires consideration with respect to its clinical application.     

Lymphocyte subtypes CD3+, CD19+, CD16+CD56+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD3+HLA-DR+ in peripheral blood obtained from patients after thoracic organ transplantation

Introduction

The aim of this study was to assess peripheral blood lymphocyte subtypes (CD3⁺, CD19⁺, CD16⁺CD56⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺, and CD3⁺HLA-DR⁺) obtained from thoracic organ recipients at various periods after transplantation.

Material and Methods

Seventeen patients after lung transplantation (LT) and 5 patients after heart transplantation (HT) included 13 males (76.5%) and 4 females (23.5%) of overall mean age at the time of transplantation of 46.7 ± 11.55 years and mean body mass index of 21.1 ± 4. Lymphocyte phenotypes were estimated using Simultest IMK Plus.

Results

A significant decrease in lymphocytes of the majority of subtypes was observed at 1 year posttransplantation compared with normal ranges: CD19⁺ B lymphocytes in 56% of patients, CD8⁺ T cells among 48% and CD16⁺CD56⁺ natural killer elements, 56%. In contrast, there were increased numbers of activated lymphocytes (CD3⁺HLA-DR⁺). Beyond the 1-year observation, we observed a trend to normalize parameters among the majority of subjects.

Conclusion

A clear tendency to a decrease number of peripheral blood lymphocytes of various subtypes was observed among thoracic organ recipients in the first year posttransplantation with the exception of activated HLA-DR⁺ cells. After the first year, there was slow restoration of lymphocytes.     

Effect of hormone replacement therapy on CD4+ and CD8+ numbers, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and immunoglobulin levels in hemodialysis patients

Uremia induces a suppression of the immune status. A large clinical literature suggests that estradiol (E2) plays a critical role in immune function. A large proportion of women hemodialysis patients faced early menopause and inadequate estrogen levels. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of hormone replacement therapy on immune function in terms of CD4+ numbers (inducer/helper T cells), CD8+ numbers (cytotoxic/suppressor T cells), CD4+ / CD8+ ratio, and IgG, IgM, IgA levels in woman hemodialysis patients. In our study, 15 female hemodialysis patients (median age 32.6 range 24-45) were treated with triphasic estrogen/progesterone preparation (estradiol 2 mg for 10 days, and afterwards estradiol 2 mg+norethisterone 1 mg for another 10 days, and at the end estradiol 1 mg for 6 days) for 6 months. CD4+ numbers, CD8+ numbers, and IgG, IgA, and IgM levels were determined before and after HRT. The "paired-samples T" test was used for statistical analysis of pretreatment and posttreatment values. A significant increase was observed for CD4+ numbers (582 +/- 435 versus 637 +/- 445, p = 0.04) and CD4+/CD8+ ratio (1.4 +/- 0.16 to 2.4 +/- 0.3, p < 0.01) after hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Serum immunoglobulin levels were not changed significantly. In conclusion, in postmenopausal hemodialysis patients, HRT significantly increased CD4+ numbers and CD4+ / CD8+ ratio, but no effect was observed in IgM, IgG, and IgA levels. Long-term clinical effects of HRT on immune system should be investigated in dialysis patients with further studies.     

CD19+CD5+ B cells in primary IgA nephropathy

The source of IgA and the mechanism for deposition of IgA in the mesangium remain unknown for primary IgA nephropathy. Because CD19(+)CD5(+) B cells are important producers of IgA and contribute to several autoimmune diseases, they may play an important role in IgA nephropathy. In this study, flow cytometry, quantitative PCR, and confocal microscopy were used to assess the frequency, distribution, Ig production, CD phenotypes, cytokine production, and sensitivity to apoptosis of CD19(+)CD5(+) B cells in the peripheral blood, peritoneal fluid, and kidney biopsies of 36 patients with primary IgA nephropathy. All patients with IgA nephropathy were significantly more likely to have CD19(+)CD5(+) B cells in the peripheral blood, peritoneal fluid, and kidney biopsies than were five control subjects and 10 patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus. The 33 patients who had IgA nephropathy and responded to treatment demonstrated a significant decrease in CD19(+)CD5(+) B cells in the peripheral blood, peritoneal fluid, and kidney (all P < 0.01). In the three patients who had IgA nephropathy and did not respond to treatment, the frequency of CD19(+)CD5(+) B cells did not change. CD19(+)CD5(+) B cells isolated from patients with untreated IgA nephropathy expressed higher levels of IgA, produced more IFN-gamma, and were more resistant to CD95L-induced apoptosis than cells isolated from control subjects and patients with lupus; these properties reversed with effective treatment of IgA nephropathy. In conclusion, these results strongly suggest that CD19(+)CD5(+) B cells play a prominent role in the pathogenesis of primary IgA nephropathy.     

CD4+CD25+ cells regulate CD8 cell anergy in neonatal tolerant mice

BACKGROUND: Injection of neonatal BALB/c mice with semi-allogeneic splenocytes leads to antigen-specific tolerance lasting into adulthood. Tolerant mice accept A/J skin grafts and fail to generate CD8 cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity against A/J targets. Anergic CD8 T cells are present in tolerant mice, and CD4 regulatory cells function to maintain CD8 cell anergy. METHODS: Neonatal BALB/c mice were injected with 108 live CAF, splenocytes, and mice were deemed tolerant by accepting A/J grafts over 40 days. CD8 cell proliferation was measured by in vitro incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine coupled with fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. Alloantigen-specific cytotoxicity was tested using 51Cr release assays of A/J or third-party targets. RESULTS: We demonstrate that A/J-specific anergic CD8 cells are present in neonatal primed mice that develop tolerance but not in neonatal primed mice that reject A/J skin grafts. Anergic CD8 cells show decreased proliferation and no CTL activity against A/J targets. Addition of interleukin-2 (IL-2) to unfractionated cultures fails to restore CTL activity against A/J targets. However, addition of IL-2 to CD4-depleted cultures restores A/J-specific CD8 CTL activity. Removal of CD4+/CD25+ cells, but not CD4+/CD25- cells, also restores CD8 CTL activity against A/J in the presence, but not the absence, of IL-2. Moreover, when added back into cultures, purified CD4+/CD25+ cells from tolerant mice inhibit the generation of CD8 CTL against A/J targets. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that CD8 anergy is associated with the state of tolerance, and that CD4+CD25+ cells from tolerant mice function to maintain A/J-specific CD8 cell anergy in vitro.