Secondary progressive in contrast to relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients show a normal CD4+CD25+ regulatory T-cell function and FOXP3 expression.
Accumulating evidence indicates an immunosuppressive role for CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) in autoimmune diseases. Although an impaired Treg function in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS) has been reported recently, no information is available so far about Treg function in the progressive stage of the disease. In the present study, the phenotypic and functional characteristics of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells isolated from the peripheral blood of patients with RR-MS and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SP-MS) were investigated. No significant quantitative or phenotypic abnormalities in CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells from RR- and SP-MS patients were detected. However, whereas a reduced suppressor function of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells toward proliferation and interferon-gamma production of CD4(+)CD25(-) responder T cells was found in RR-MS patients, SP-MS patients showed a normal Treg function. The suppressive capacity of MS-derived CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells was correlated with disease duration but not with age, indicating that Treg function is more affected in the early phase of the disease process. Consistently with the suppressive capacity, CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells from SP-MS patients showed normal levels of FOXP3 mRNA in contrast to RR-MS patients that had a reduced FOXP3 expression. These data are the first to demonstrate differences in function and FOXP3 expression of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells from patients with RR- and SP-MS.
Venken
Koen
K
Biomedisch Onderzoeksinstituut and Transnationale Universiteit Limburg, School of Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
Hellings
Niels
N
Hensen
Karen
K
Rummens
Jean-Luc
JL
Medaer
Robert
R
D'hooghe
Marie B
MB
Dubois
Bénédicte
B
Raus
Jef
J
Stinissen
Piet
P
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D007371:Interferon-gamma