[Study on expressions of CD25 and CD127 in CD4+ peripheral T lymphocytes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis].
OBJECTIVE
To study the proportion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and investigate the significance of Tregs change in the incidence and inflammatory activity of RA.


METHODS
Three-color fluorescence flow cytometry was used to detect the CD4, CD25 and CD127 markers in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 25 RA patients and 31 healthy volunteers (HVs). The proportions of CD4(+)CD25(+), CD4(+)CD25(high), CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(-) and CD4(+)CD25(high)CD127(-) cells were compared between the two groups and correlation analysis was conducted between Tregs and disease activity indices which including disease activity score (DAS28-4), tender joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), time of morning stiffness, patient's global assessment of disease activity on a 100 mm VAS by doctor and patients, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein.


RESULTS
The proportions of CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(-) and CD4(+)CD25(high)CD127(-) cells in CD4(+) peripheral T lymphocytes were (2.53 +/- 0.85)% and (0.91 +/- 0.32)% respectively in RA group, while they were (3.22 +/- 0.97)% and (1.25 +/- 0.41)% in HV group. Both of the proportions of CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(-) and CD4(+)CD25(high)CD127(-) cells were lower in RA group comparing with HV group, and both were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis indicated significant negative correlations of the proportions of CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(-) and CD4(+)CD25(high)CD127(-) cells with DAS28-4 and TJC (P < 0.05), furthermore, CD4(+)CD25(high)CD127(-) T cells still showed significant negative correlation with the SJC and patient's global assessment of disease activity on a 100 mm VAS by patients (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The proportion of Tregs decreased in peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with RA and the abnormality of Tregs may play an important role in the incidence and inflammatory activity of RA.
Department of Rheumatology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Zhi-xiang
ZX
Huang
Ben-rong
BR
Zheng
Tian-wang
TW
Li
Ying-min
YM
Lu
Jie-ruo
JR
Gu
Xiao-yan
XY
Han
D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000378:metabolism*; D053699:Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D053699:Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit