Increase of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells in Smad3(-/-) mice.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the changes of lymphocyte subpopulations, especially CD4(+)CD25(+) T regulatory cells in Smad3(-/-) mice.


METHODS
Hematological changes and changes of lymphocyte subpopulations were detected in Smad3(-/-) mice using cell counter and flow cytometry, respectively, and compared to their littermate controls.


RESULTS
The numbers of neutrophils and lymphocytes in peripheral blood were significantly increased in Smad3(-/-) mice compared to littermate controls. CD19(+) expressing cells in blood and spleen, and CD8(+) T cells in thymus were all markedly decreased in Smad3(-/-) mice. More important, Smad3(-/-) mice had an increased population of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells in peripheral lymphoid tissues, including thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes.


CONCLUSIONS
These observations suggest that the changes of lymphocyte subpopulations might play a role in susceptibility to inflammation of Smad3(-/-) mice.
Wang
Zi-Bing
ZB
Department of Immunology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China.
Cui
Yu-Fang
YF
Liu
Yu-Qing
YQ
Jin
Wei
W
Xu
Han
H
Jiang
Zhu-Jun
ZJ
Lu
Ya-Xin
YX
Zhang
Ying
Y
Liu
Xiao-Lan
XL
Dong
Bo
B