title: Decreased CD4+CD152+ T cell subset and its correlation with the level of antithyroid antibodies in children with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) is one of the basic antigens involved in immune responses regulation associated with autoimmune thyroid diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the surface expression of CTLA-4(CD152) on T cells is correlated with laboratory autoimmune markers in children with Hashimoto's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples were obtained from 45 children with Hashimoto's thyroiditis of the mean age 14.8 ±2.35 years, and from 55 healthy age-matched children, free of allergic, immune and hematological disorders, and with a normal thyroid function. The anti-thyroid antibodies were measured with Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay (AxSYM Anti-Tg, AxSYM Anti-TPO). The T cell phenotype was evaluated flow cytometery, with the use of monoclonal antibodies combination: CD4- FITC/ CD28 -PC5/ CD152 -PE and CD8 -FITC/ CD28 -PC5/ CD152 -PE. -
  
  
  RESULTS
  The percentage of T cells with CD152 expression was significantly decreased in children with Hashimoto's thyroiditis compared with healthy controls (P<0.001). A significant negative correlation was found between the level of anti-thyroglobulin antibodies and the percentage of CD4+CD152+ T cells (r = -0.34; P<0.05). Anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies did not correlate with CD152 expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In children with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the number of CD4+CD152+ T cells is decreased and negatively correlates with the level of anti-thyroglobulin antibodies.
authors.affiliation: Klinika Pediatrii i Endokrynologii, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Warszawa, Poland. anna.kucharska@litewska.edu.pl
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kucharska
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gorska
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wasik
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pyrzak
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D001323:Autoantibodies; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; C556706:CTLA4 protein, human; C006606:anti-thyroglobulin; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase