[The role of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in the pathogenesis of chronic abacterial prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the role of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in the pathogenesis of chronic abacterial prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CAP/CPPS).


METHODS
Peripheral blood samples were collected from 45 CAP/CPPS patients and 18 healthy age-matched male persons. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated. The percentages of CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25high regulatory T cells were detected by flow cytometry. PCR was used to examine the mRNA expression of Foxp3, a transcription factor expressed in the CD4+CD25+ cells. ELISA was used to examine the plasma level of tumor growth factor (TGF)-beta1.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences in the percentages of peripheral blood CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25highT cells between the CAP/CPPS patients and normal control group (both P>0.05). The Foxp3 mRNA in the PBMCs of the CAP/CPPS IIIA and CAP/CPPS IIIB patients were (0.69+/-0.23) and (0.44+/-0.18) respectively, both significantly lower than that of the control group [(1.37+/-0.19), P<0.05]. The serum TGF-beta1 levels of the CAP/CPPS IIIA and CAP/CPPS IIIB patients were (18.09+/-10.45) pg/ml and (14.06+/-6.22) pg/ml respectively, both significantly lower than that of the control group [(27.01+/-13.29) pg/ml, both P<0.05].


CONCLUSIONS
Not the number of peripheral blood CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells, but its defective function participates in the pathogenesis of CAP/CPPS. The Foxp3 gene and TGF-beta1 play important roles in the process of pathogenesis of CAP/CPPS too.
Wang
Shao-gang
SG
Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China. gwangtjm@163.com
Bai
Jian
J
Xi
Qi-lin
QL
Hu
Dong-liang
DL
Liu
Ji-hong
JH
Ye
Zhang-qun
ZQ
D000328:Adult; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D011472:Prostatitis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000378:metabolism*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood
C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta