[Level of CD4(+) CD25(high) CD127(low/-) regulatory T cells in transitional cell carcinoma patients and its clinical significance].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the expressions of CD4+ CD25high CD127low/- regulatory T cells (Treg) in peripheral blood from patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in urinary system.


METHODS
The proportion of Treg population in CD4+ T cells from 93 patients with transitional cell carcinoma was evaluated. And flow cytometry was employed to analyze different clinicopathologic characteristics and detect the pre- and post-operative changes in 38 patients with benign urinary diseases and 37 healthy subjects.


RESULTS
The proportion of Treg population in CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood of patients with TCC significantly increased as compared with those with benign urinary diseases and healthy subjects. There was a strong correlation between the proportion of Treg and tumor recurrence, quantity, lymph node metastasis (P < 0. 01) as well as pathological stage; no correlation was found between the proportion of Treg and clinical TNM stage (P > 0. 05). The proportion of Treg was also different at pre- and post-operation (P < 0. 05).


CONCLUSIONS
CD4+ CD25high CD127low/- regulatory T cells in peripheral blood from patients with TCC significantly increased as compared with that in patients with benign urinary diseases and in healthy subjects. It may be responsible for immune suppression in TCC patients. Tumor resection could decrease the proportion of Treg in peripheral blood, but the long-term change in immune function requires further investigations.
Zhu
Xi
X
Department of Urology, Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Hu
Xiao-zhou
XZ
Ma
Lin-lin
LL
Tian
Ye
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000378:metabolism*; D014571:Urologic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology