Inverse relationship between the ratio of ICAM-1 expressing lymphocytes and serum TGF-beta 1 concentrations in acute rheumatic fever.
Autoimmunity in acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is triggered by group-A beta hemolytic streptococci (GAS). Although most of the recent work has focused on the major impact of lymphocytes, the exact immunopathogenesis is still unresolved. Regulation of self-tolerance in response to GAS has been investigated in various animal experiments. This study aimed to associate the ratio of lymphocytes bearing adhesion/costimulatory molecules, Bcl-2/CD95 and serum TGF-beta1 concentrations with clinical stages of ARF. Thirty-five patients were assigned according to the clinical stages. Bcl-2 expression on CD19+ and CD3+ lymphocytes was similar within patient groups and controls. CD62p expression was higher in patients with carditis. The ratio of ICAM-1 bearing lymphocytes was significantly different between patient groups and controls and was increased through acute to remission stages longitudinally. In contrast, a gradual and significant decrease in TGF-beta1 concentrations was observed longitudinally from acute to chronic stages. A positive correlation has been documented between ICAM-1+ lymphocyte ratios and Fas+ cytotoxic T cell ratios supported by a prominent increase in CD95+ T cells. These data draw our attention to the role of ICAM-1, Fas and TGF-beta1 in ARF pathogenesis through the perspective of self-tolerance in a clinical setting.
Aksu
Guzide
G
Ege University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Immunology, 80. Sok. 27/11, 35100 Bornova Izmir, Turkey. aksu@med.ege.edu.tr
Bayram
Nuri
N
Ulger
Zulal
Z
Ozturk
Can
C
Ozyurek
Ruhi A
RA
Bakiler
Rahmi A
RA
Kutukculer
Necil
N
D000210:Acute-Phase Reaction / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000293:Adolescent; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D012213:Rheumatic Fever / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D017634:Self Tolerance; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1