CD4+ CD25+ but not CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells as a regulatory subset in primary biliary cirrhosis.
Increasing evidence indicates a role for regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the immune response and in autoimmune diseases, but the role of Tregs and cytokines in autoimmune hepatic diseases remains largely unclear and controversial, especially in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). This study was undertaken to investigate Tregs and different cytokines in the liver and peripheral blood of PBC patients. We found that these patients demonstrated a reduction of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells but elevated CD4(+)Foxp3(+) T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and CD4(+) T cells. The percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells in PBMCs was negatively correlated with elevated plasma interferon (IFN)-γ levels. A liver-specific analysis showed that the frequency of Foxp3(+) Tregs, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and IFN-γ were increased in PBC patients. Our findings suggest that an imbalance between CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs and cytotoxic cytokines plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of PBC while the role of Foxp3 needs further investigation.
Wang
Dandan
D
Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.
Zhang
Huayong
H
Liang
Jun
J
Gu
Zhifeng
Z
Zhou
Qiang
Q
Fan
Xiangshan
X
Hou
Yayi
Y
Sun
Lingyun
L
D000328:Adult; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000276:immunology*; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000378:metabolism
D015704:CD4 Antigens; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D007371:Interferon-gamma