Increased proportion of CD3+CD4-CD8- double-negative T cells in peripheral blood of children with Behcet's disease.
BACKGROUND
Behcet's disease (BD) is a multi-system inflammatory disorder of poorly understood pathogenesis, which is characterized by oral aphtosis, genital ulcers and uveitis.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the role of CD3+CD4-CD8- double negative (DN) T cells in pathogenesis of Behcet's disease.


METHODS
Ten BD patients (age 12.2+/-2.2 years, 7 in remission, 3 in exacerbation state) treated at the Pediatric Rheumatology unit of Soroka University Medical Center and 3 age-matched controls participated in the study.


METHODS
Peripheral blood lymphocytes of study subjects were isolated and stained with fluorescein-labeled anti-CD45, CD3, CD4, CD8 antibodies and analyzed by FACS assay.


RESULTS
Proportion of CD4-CD8- DN T cells was significantly increased in BD patients (n=10) as compared to healthy controls (6.2+/-3.4% vs. 3.2+/-1.1% of total CD3+ cells, p<0.05), this cell group was additionally enhanced in BD exacerbation, compared to patients in remission (10+/-4.1% vs. 4.7+/-1.2%, p<0.05, respectively). DN T cells were significantly increased in BD patients in remission, compared to healthy controls (4.7+1.2% vs. 3.2+1.1% of total CD3+ cells, p<0.05, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Behcet's disease is characterized by increased proportion of CD3+CD4-CD8- double negative T cells in peripheral blood. Further studies, that include additional immunophenotyping and analysis of gene expression, aimed at characterization of these cells are currently underway.
Ling
Eduard
E
Division of Pediatrics, Soroka University Medical Center, Rager Ave, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel. ling@bgumail.bgu.ac.il
Shubinsky
George
G
Press
Joseph
J
D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000032:analysis; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*
D017252:CD3 Complex; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens