title: [Imbalance of CD4(+) T cell subgroups in ulcerative colitis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship of the imbalance of CD4(+) T cell subgroups and the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Peripheral blood samples were collected from 24 UC patients and 17 healthy donors. Then the phenotype of CD4(+) T cells and the major transcription factor expression of each subset were analyzed by flow cytometry and real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) respectively. The serum concentrations of major cytokines of each subgroup were measured by cytometric bead array (CBA) and ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).
  
  
  RESULTS
  (1) The proportion of Treg cells in the UC group was lower than the control group (6.7% ± 1.7% vs 7.9% ± 1.4%, P = 0.016), especially in active stage (6.4% ± 1.7%, P = 0.005). As compared with the control group, the expression of FOXP3 mRNA was lower in the UC Group (P = 0.020). And so was the serum concentration of TGF-β1 [(21 ± 8) µg/L vs (28 ± 7) µg/L, P = 0.026]. (2) There were no significant differences in Th1-related transcription factors and cytokines between two groups. (3) Th2 cells were higher in the UC group (2.7% ± 1.1% vs 1.6% ± 0.4%, P = 0.002), especially in active stage (2.8% ± 1.0%, P = 0.001). The expression of GATA-3 mRNA was 4.4 folds higher than that of the controls (P = 0.045). (4) Th17 cells were higher in the UC group (3.4% ± 1.8% vs 1.8% ± 0.7%, P = 0.005). And the RORγt mRNA expression was 13 folds higher in UC group (P = 0.001); the serum concentrations of IL-6 and IL-17 were higher in the UC group (both P < 0.05). (5) The ratios of Treg/Th2 and Treg/Th17 were significantly lower in the UC group and associated with disease activity (both P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The imbalances of Th2, Treg and Th17 subgroups may play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of UC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
authors.forename: Kang
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: Bi-hui
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Sheng-hong
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiao-rong
authors.initials: XR
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Jia-yan
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Min-hu
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult