[Phenotypical and functional characteristic of FoxP3(+);CD39(+); regulatory T cells in humans].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate phenotypical and functional characteristics of the CD39(+);FoxP3(+);regulatory T (Treg) cells in humans.


METHODS
We collected peripheral blood from 10 healthy volunteers and separated PBMC by using density gradient centrifugation, and then detected the expression of CTLA-4, HLA-DR, CD45RO and Ki-67 on CD39(+);FoxP3(+); and CD39(-);FoxP3(+);Treg cells by using flow cytometric analysis. [(3);H]-thymidine incorporation assay and ELISA were used to monitor the suppressive capacity of CD39(+); FoxP3(+); Treg cells on proliferation and IFN-gamma secretion of Treg-depleted PBMC.


RESULTS
The expression of CTLA-4, HLA-DR, CD45RO and Ki-67 was significantly higher in CD39(+);FoxP3(+); Treg cells than those in CD39(-);FoxP3(+); Treg cells. The suppressive capacity of CD39(+);FoxP3(+); Treg cells on proliferation and IFN-gamma secretion of Treg-depleted PBMC was significantly higher than those of FoxP3(+);CD39(-);Treg cells.


CONCLUSIONS
CD39(+);Fxop3(+);Treg subset may play an essential role in immune regulation of Treg, and CD39 can be used as a surface marker to identify the functional Treg cells.
Huang
Hui-huang
HH
Academy of Military Medical Science, Beijing 100850, China.
Wang
Si-yu
SY
Wang
Hui-fen
HF
Fu
Jun-liang
JL
Han
Ping
P
Wang
Fu-sheng
FS
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism*; D001081:Apyrase / Q000378:metabolism*; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; C556706:CTLA4 protein, human; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; D001081:Apyrase; C067869:CD39 antigen