The initial phase of graft-versus-host disease is associated with a decrease of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in the peripheral blood of patients after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
The mechanisms that induce and control the alloimmune inflammation of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) are still incompletely understood. In the murine system, GvHD can be suppressed by CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (TREG), which are generally involved in the suppression of inflammatory reactions. A disruption of the homeostasis between TREG and conventional T cells might therefore be associated with the inflammatory reactions of GvHD. We repetitively measured the frequency of TREG in the peripheral blood of 29 patients within the first 71-373 days after allo-SCT and correlated the results with the clinical course. We demonstrate that the initial phase of GvHD is associated with a significant reduction of TREG in the peripheral blood, while at later stages and during intensified immunosuppressive therapy, increased numbers of TREG appear. These results might indicate a pathogenic role for reduced numbers of TREG in the induction of human GvHD.
Schneider
M
M
Department of Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Munder
M
M
Karakhanova
S
S
Ho
A D
AD
Goerner
M
M
D000328:Adult; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000097:blood; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013256:Steroids / Q000494:pharmacology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D023001:Transplantation Tolerance / Q000276:immunology; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000276:immunology
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D013256:Steroids