[Role of regulatory T cells in pathogenesis of Henoch-Schonlein purpura in children].
OBJECTIVE
Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is one of the most common small vessel forms of autoimmune vasculitis in children. Immunologic derangement including humoral and cellular immunity disequilibrium and proinflammatory factors dysfunction are involved in the acute stage of HSP. Recently data revealed that regulatory T cells (Tr) play a pivotal role in preventing development of autoimmune and allergic diseases. This study aimed to explore the role of Tr cells in pathogenesis of HSP and the factors affecting development of Tr cells.


METHODS
Twenty patients with HSP and 20 age-matched healthy children were enrolled into this study. Flow cytometric (FCM) analysis was performed to detect the percentage of regulatory T cells subpopulation (including CD(4+)CD(25+) Tr, Tr1 and Th3) and helper T cells subpopulation (Th1 and Th2). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time PCR were used to analyze Foxp3 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC).


RESULTS
Compared with healthy control subjects, the proportions of Th2 cell in patients with HSP were significantly higher (P < 0.05), and the ratio of Th1/Th2 was remarkably decreased (P < 0.05). The proportions of three subpopulation of regulatory T cells including CD(4+)CD(25+) Tr, Tr1, Th3 in patients with HSP were all significantly lower than those of controls (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of Foxp3 in patients with HSP showed similar tendency (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The decrease of three subpopulations of regulatory T cells might be involved in pathogenesis of HSP and associated with the decreased expression of Foxp3 gene.
Yang
Jun
J
Institute of Pediatrics, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen 518026, China.
Li
Cheng-rong
CR
Zu
Ying
Y
Wang
Guo-bing
GB
Li
Yong-bai
YB
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D011695:IgA Vasculitis / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger