CD8(+)Foxp3(+) T cells in peripheral blood of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients.
A defect of CD4(+) regulatory T cells (Treg) seems to be involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Besides Treg, CD8(+) T cells also can suppress the immune response. Forkhead box p3 (Foxp3) is known to program the acquisition of suppressive capacities in CD4(+) T cells and recent studies showed that in vitro antigen activation leads to Foxp3 expression in CD8(+) T cells, gaining of suppressive activity. By flow cytometry we found a lower percentage of circulating CD8(+)Foxp3(+) T cells in relapsing than in remitting patients with MS and in controls. No significant differences were observed in CD8(+)Foxp3(+) T cell percentage between healthy subjects and patients in remission. Our data suggest that peripheral CD8(+)Foxp3(+) T cells may play a role in the maintenance of tolerance in MS.
Department of Neurosciences, Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
Giovanni
G
Frisullo
Viviana
V
Nociti
Raffaele
R
Iorio
Domenico
D
Plantone
A Katia
AK
Patanella
Pietro A
PA
Tonali
Anna Paola
AP
Batocchi
D000328:Adult; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002469:Cell Separation; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors