Alternative Th17 and CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ cell frequencies increase and correlate with worse cardiac function in Chagas cardiomyopathy

Immune homeostasis has been suggested to play an important role in the clinical evolution of chronic Chagas disease; however, the immunopathologic factors involved have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, our study aimed to analyse the frequency of CD 4⁺CD 25⁺FoxP3⁺ cells, classic Th17 cells, alternative Th17 cells and IL ‐17⁺ B cells from peripheral blood of chronic cardiac patients after in vitro stimulation with Trypanosoma cruzi soluble EPI antigen. Patients were selected and classified according to clinical evaluation of cardiac involvement: mild, B1 (CARD 1) (n = 20) and severe, C (CARD 2) (n = 11). Patients with the indeterminate form of CD were included as the control group A (IND ) (n = 17). Blood samples were collected and cultured in the presence of EPI antigen. Cells frequency and median fluorescence intensity (MFI ) were obtained by flow cytometry. Our results showed that only CD 4⁺CD 25⁺FoxP3⁺, CD 4⁺CD 25^highFoxP3⁺, CD 4⁺IL ‐17⁺IFN ‐γ⁻ and CD 4⁺IL ‐17⁺IFN ‐γ⁺ cells are more frequent in patients with severe cardiac disease and correlate with worse global cardiac function. However, while indeterminate patients demonstrated a positive correlation between CD 4⁺CD 25⁺FoxP3⁺ and CD 4⁺IL ‐17⁺IFN ‐γ⁻ Th17 cells, this relationship was not observed in cardiac patients. IL ‐17 expression by Th17 cells and B cells correlated with disease progression. Altogether our results suggest that the clinical progression of Chagas cardiomyopathy involves worsening of inflammation and impairment of immunoregulatory mechanisms.     

Enhanced and persistent levels of interleukin (IL)‐17+CD4+ T cells and serum IL‐17 in patients with early inflammatory arthritis

Prognosis of patients with early inflammatory arthritis (EIA) is highly variable. The aim of this study was to compare, longitudinally and cross-sectionally, the levels of cytokine-expressing cells in peripheral blood (PB) from patients with EIA to those in established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and healthy controls (HC). PB mononuclear cells from HC (n = 30), patients with EIA (n = 20) or RA (n = 38) were stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)/ionomycin for 3 h, and stained for cell markers and cytokines. Serum cytokines and chemokines were measured by Luminex. Patients with EIA were reassessed at 6 and 12 months. The percentage of interleukin (IL)-17⁺interferon (IFN)-γ⁻CD4⁺ T cells [T helper type 17 (Th17)] was increased in RA and EIA versus HC. Serum IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4 IL-17 and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α were increased in RA and EIA versus HC. IL-1Ra, IL-15 and IFN-α were increased in EIA versus HC. IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α was increased in RA but not EIA versus HC. Disease activity scores in EIA patients improved over 12 months'' treatment. Th17 percentage at baseline was correlated with both rheumatoid factor (RF) titre and functional deficit at 12 months. Baseline levels of serum granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IL-6 and IL-8 were correlated with Larsen score at 12 months. There were no significant changes in cytokine-expressing CD4⁺T cells over time, although the percentage of IL-6⁺ monocytes increased. IL-17⁺CD4⁺ T cells and serum IL-17 levels are increased in EIA. IL-6-expressing monocytes increase during the first year of disease, irrespective of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy. We observed incomplete clinical responses, suggesting EIA patients need more intensive early therapy.     

支气管哮喘患者外周血Th17、CD4~+CD25~+Treg细胞表达特征

目的:探讨外周血Th17和CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞(Treg)在支气管哮喘患者中的表达特征。方法:41例慢性持续期哮喘患者,分为间歇-轻度组(n=23)和中重度组(n=18),行肺功能检查和哮喘控制问卷(ACQ)调查,20例正常人作为对照。通过流式细胞术检测外周血Th17和CD4+CD25+Treg细胞的比例。ELISA检测血浆以及植物血凝素刺激24小时后外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)上清液中的IL-17、IL-10、TGF-β水平。结果:中重度哮喘组外周血Th17细胞比例及血浆IL-17水平高于间歇-轻度哮喘和正常人组,而外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg细胞比例及血浆IL-10、TGF-β水平则降低。中重度哮喘组PBMC上清液中IL-17水平增高。哮喘患者FEV1(%预计值)与Th17细胞及血浆IL-17表达成负相关,与CD4+CD25+Treg表达成正相关。ACQ平均得分与Th17细胞和血浆IL-17表达成正相关,与外周血CD4+CD25+Treg表达成负相关。结论:中重度哮喘中外周血Th17细胞应答增强,而CD4+CD25+Treg细胞缺乏,哮喘的严重程度及症状控制与外周血Th17/Treg免疫应答失衡密切相关。     

IL-17/IL-17R与恶性肿瘤

IL-17是新近被确认的一种细胞因子,由T细胞、中性粒细胞等产生,其靶细胞分布广泛。IL-17具有强大的招募中性粒细胞、促进多种细胞释放炎性因子、促进细胞增殖的作用,被认为参与了机体多种炎症疾病、自身免疫性疾病和肿瘤等的发生,本文就IL-17/IL-17R在肿瘤中的研究进展做一综述。     

Le lymphocyte TH17 dernier-né de la famille des lymphocytes T CD4+

In recent years the T CD4+ lymphocyte family has grown. In the initial two components TH1 and TH2 lymphocytes were added the TH17 lymphocyte and T cell regulator (Treg). Under the influence of transforming growth factor β, interleukin 6 (IL6), IL21 and IL23, the naive lymphocyte T CD4+ differentiates in TH17. Currently, the TH17 is recognized as the leading actor of local inflammation through the pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukins 17, 21, 22) that secretes and the expansion and recruitment of neutrophils that leads. Therefore, it is involved in chronic inflammatory processes, autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus), allergy and rejection of allogeneic transplants. TH17 lymphocyte opens up new therapeutic prospects for these pathologies.     

Presence,function, and regulation of IL-17F-expressing human CD4+ T cells

The pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17A has been implicated in the immunopathology of inflammatory arthritis. IL-17F bears 50% homology to IL-17A and has recently been suggested to play a role in inflammation. We investigated the induction and cytokine profile of IL-17F⁺ CD4⁺ T cells, and how IL-17F may contribute to inflammation. Upon culture of healthy donor CD4⁺ T cells with IL-1β, IL-23, anti-CD3, and anti-CD28 mAb, both IL-17A and IL-17F-expressing cells were detected. In comparison to IL-17A⁺IL-17F⁻ CD4⁺ T cells, IL-17F⁺IL-17A⁻ and IL-17A⁺IL-17F⁺ CD4⁺ T cells contained lower proportions of IL-10-expressing and GM-CSF-expressing cells and higher proportions of IFN-γ-expressing cells. Titration of anti-CD28 mAb revealed that strong co-stimulation increased IL-17F⁺IL-17A⁻ and IL-17A⁺IL-17F⁺ CD4⁺ T cell frequencies, whereas IL-17A⁺IL-17F⁻ CD4⁺ T cell frequencies decreased. This was partly mediated via an IL-2-dependent mechanism. Addition of IL-17A, IL-17F, and TNF-α to synovial fibroblasts from patients with inflammatory arthritis resulted in significant production of IL-6 and IL-8, which was reduced to a larger extent by combined blockade of IL-17A and IL-17F than blockade of IL-17A alone. Our data indicate that IL-17A and IL-17F are differentially regulated upon T cell co-stimulation, and that dual blockade of IL-17A and IL-17F reduces inflammation more effectively than IL-17A blockade alone.     

Th17与自身免疫性疾病

当初始CD4+T细胞接受抗原刺激时,在不同的细胞因子环境中分化为不同的淋巴细胞亚群.Th17作为一种新的T细胞亚群是在TGF-β与IL-6存在时经由孤独核受体(ROB)-γt途径分化而来,而当环境中仅有TGF-β时却分化为CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节性T细胞(Tr).与Th1一样,Th17被认为在自身免疫性疾病和炎症反应的发生和进展中都发挥重要的病理作用,相反,Tr则起着抗炎和免疫负性调节的作用.因此Th1及Th17倾向的免疫应答可能导致炎症反应与自身免疫性疾病的发生和进展,故在体内阻断其相关的细胞因子IL-17、IL-6等则可使Th1、Th17及Tr重新保持平衡而对自身免疫性疾病产生治疗作用.     

Th17及Th17型细胞因子与炎症性肠病

Th17细胞已被划分为一个不同于Th1、Th2和Treg的新的T细胞亚群,以分泌IL-17为主要特征。Th17在防御胞外细菌感染、介导慢性炎症和自身免疫性疾病的发病机制中发挥重要作用。炎症性肠病属于自身免疫性疾病的一种,免疫调节紊乱是其发病的关键因素。免疫学和基因学的发现表明Th17及Th17效应因子在炎症性肠病发病机理中起重要作用。对Th17的进一步深入研究可以加深我们对相关疾病发病机制的认识并指导临床治疗。     

桥本氏甲状腺炎患者Th17与调节性T细胞免疫失衡的研究

目的 检测桥本氏甲状腺炎(HT)患者甲状腺组织及外周静脉血中Th17细胞和调节性T 细胞(Treg)细胞相关细胞因子的表达水平,分析Th17/Treg免疫平衡在HT发病机制中的作用.方法 采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)法,检测10例HT甲功正常组、10例HT甲低组和10例正常甲状腺组织(对照组)中IL-17A...     

Altered Th17 Cytokine Expression in Helicobacter pylori Patients with TLR4 (D299G) Polymorphism

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is associated with gastric ulcer and gastric adenocarcinoma. Polymorphisms in the host genes coding for Toll-like receptors (TLRs) may influence the innate and adaptive immune response to the infection, affecting the susceptibility to H. pylori or the disease outcomes. However, the details and association with different polymorphism and clinical expression of infection remain unclear. A case-control study consisting of 58 patients with H. pylori infection and 44 H. pylori uninfection was conducted. Genomic DNA was extracted and genotypes of TLR4 Asp299Gly polymorphism were assessed through polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Mucosal cytokines expression in H. pylori-infected and uninfected gastric biopsies was determined by real-time PCR. The expression of IL-6, IL-17, IL-21, IL-23 and TGF-β1 was signi?cantly higher in patients with D299G polymorphism in TLR4. But the expression of IL-18 between patients with single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TLR4 and patients with the wild-type allele was not signi?cant. In H. pylori-infected patients with gastritis, SNPs in TLR4 may alter cytokine expression toward Th17 immune response in the gastric mucosa and may have increased risk for the development of peptic ulcer.     

Structural Analysis Reveals that the Cytokine IL-17F Forms a Homodimeric Complex with Receptor IL-17RC to Drive IL-17RA-Independent Signaling

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IL-2抑制小鼠CD4~+ CD62L~+ T细胞分化为Th17细胞

目的研究IL-2对小鼠脾脏CD4+CD62L+T细胞在体外向Th17细胞分化的作用。方法免疫磁珠法分选C57BL/6小鼠脾脏CD4+CD62L+T细胞,于抗体包被的培养板中培养3 d,实验分为对照组和IL-2处理组。对照组为经典Th17诱导分化培养基,IL-2处理组在对照组基础上于培养体系中添加IL-2。CFSE染色检测细胞增殖,Annexin V-PI法检测细胞凋亡,ELISA检测培养上清中IL-17A的浓度,荧光定量PCR检测Rorγt mRNA的表达,流式细胞术检测CD4~+IL-17~+Th17的生成比例以及Rorγt的表达。结果磁珠分选的小鼠脾脏CD4+CD62L+nave T细胞纯度高于95%。与对照组相比,IL-2处理组细胞数目明显增多,增殖能力明显增强(P0.05),细胞凋亡比例降低(P0.05);IL-2处理组培养上清中IL-17A的浓度明显降低(P0.05),且CD4+IL-17+细胞比例下降,其特异性转录因子Rorγt的表达水平也显著降低(P0.05)。结论 IL-2在CD4+CD62L+T细胞分化为Th17的过程中,能够促进T细胞的增殖并且抑制Th17的分化。     

Th17细胞的研究进展

病发病的关系是目前该领域研究的热点,近年在这方面的研究也取得了一定的突破.     

Th17细胞及IL-17与系统性红斑狼疮

系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）是多种因素相互作用引起的自身免疫性疾病,其发病机制复杂。Th17细胞是最近发现的CD4^＋效应T细胞的新亚群。初始T细胞在TGF—B和IL-6的共同作用下分化发育成为Th17细胞,后者可以分泌IL-17、IL-21、IL-22等多种细胞因子。其中IL-17在多种自身免疫疾病（比如类风湿关节炎和Crohn’s病）中起关键作用,但在SLE中的作用尚不清晰。     

In Vitro Th17-Polarized Human CD4+ T Cells Exacerbate Xenogeneic Graft-versus-Host Disease

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a severe complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The role of Th17 cells in its pathophysiology remains a matter of debate. In this study, we assessed whether enrichment of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with in vitro Th17-polarized CD4⁺ T cells would exacerbate xenogeneic GVHD (xGVHD) into NOD-scid IL-2Rγ null (NSG) mice. Naive human CD4⁺ T cells were stimulated under Th17-skewing conditions for 8 to 10 days and then coinjected in NSG mice with fresh PBMCs from the same donor. We observed that Th17-polarized cells engrafted and migrated toward xGVHD target organs. They also acquired a double-expressing IL-17A⁺IFNγ⁺ profile in vivo. Importantly, cotransfer of Th17-polarized cells (1?×?10⁶) with PBMCs (1?×?10⁶) exacerbated xGVHD compared with transplantation of PBMCs alone (2?×?10⁶). Furthermore, PBMC cotransfer with Th17-polarized cells was more potent for xGVHD induction than cotransfer with naive CD4⁺ T cells stimulated in nonpolarizing conditions (Th0 cells, 1?×?10⁶?+?1?×?10⁶ PBMCs) or with Th1-polarized cells (1?×?10⁶?+?1?×?10⁶ PBMCs). In summary, our results suggest that human Th17-polarized cells can cooperate with PBMCs and be pathogenic in the NSG xGVHD model.     

Th17及其细胞因子IL-17参与脑缺血损伤机制的研究

目的 检测Th17细胞在缺血脑组织中的表达及其细胞因子IL-17在厌氧条件下对神经元损伤机制的研究.方法 线栓法建立小鼠持续性大脑中动脉栓塞模型(pMCAO),免疫荧光技术检测pMCAO小鼠缺血侧脑组织中Th17细胞的表达;体外原代培养新生小鼠海马神经元,建立体外氧糖剥夺模型(OGD)模拟体内脑缺血缺氧微环境,观察不同厌氧时间对神经元的损伤作用,同时进行不同浓度的IL-17干预以及IL-17受体(IL-17R)封闭实验,探讨IL-17在厌氧条件下对神经元损伤过程中的作用.结果 成功建立小鼠右侧大脑中动脉栓塞模型,HE染色可见患鼠缺血侧脑组织空洞坏死样改变并有大量淋巴细胞浸润,TTC染色呈现白色缺血灶.免疫荧光染色可见缺血灶周边大量Th17细胞(CD4+IL-17+).体外实验中,外源性IL-17的干预加剧了OGD条件对海马神经元的损伤作用,并且这种作用能够被IL-17 R封闭剂所抑制.结论 小鼠缺血脑组织中存在Th17细胞的浸润,Th17细胞分泌的IL-17与厌氧条件下神经元的损伤有关.     

Periodontitis‐associated pathogens P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans activate human CD14+ monocytes leading to enhanced Th17/IL‐17 responses

The Th17/IL‐17 pathway is implicated in the pathogenesis of periodontitis (PD), however the mechanisms are not fully understood. We investigated the mechanism by which the periodontal pathogens Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) promote a Th17/IL‐17 response in vitro, and studied IL‐17⁺ CD4⁺ T‐cell frequencies in gingival tissue and peripheral blood from patients with PD versus periodontally healthy controls. Addition of Pg or Aa to monocyte/CD4⁺ T‐cell co‐cultures promoted a Th17/IL‐17 response in vitro in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Pg or Aa stimulation of monocytes resulted in increased CD40, CD54 and HLA‐DR expression, and enhanced TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6 and IL‐23 production. Mechanistically, IL‐17 production in Pg‐stimulated co‐cultures was partially dependent on IL‐1β, IL‐23 and TLR2/TLR4 signalling. Increased frequencies of IL‐17⁺ cells were observed in gingival tissue from patients with PD compared to healthy subjects. No differences were observed in IL‐17⁺ CD4⁺ T‐cell frequencies in peripheral blood. In vitro, Pg induced significantly higher IL‐17 production in anti‐CD3 mAb‐stimulated monocyte/CD4⁺ T‐cell co‐cultures from patients with PD compared to healthy controls. Our data suggest that periodontal pathogens can activate monocytes, resulting in increased IL‐17 production by human CD4⁺ T cells, a process that appears enhanced in patients with PD.