Th17 expansion in MS patients is counterbalanced by an expanded CD39+ regulatory T cell population during remission but not during relapse.
In this study, percentages of CD39(+) Treg and Th17 cells were compared between relapsing-remitting MS patients and controls and were related to the vitamin D status. The Th17 cell population was expanded in about 40% of the MS patients. In MS patients in remission, but not during relapse, a positive association was found between Th17 cell and CD39(+) Treg percentages (r=0.468, p=0.007). Since CD39(+) Tregs have been shown to have Th17 suppressive capacities, we propose that a dysregulated Th17/CD39(+) Treg balance might contribute to disease exacerbation. A clear role for vitamin D in this regulation could not be established.
School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands. evelyn.peelen@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Evelyn
E
Peelen
Jan
J
Damoiseaux
Joost
J
Smolders
Stephanie
S
Knippenberg
Paul
P
Menheere
Jan Willem Cohen
JW
Tervaert
Raymond
R
Hupperts
Mariëlle
M
Thewissen
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001081:Apyrase / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood
D015703:Antigens, CD; D020381:Interleukin-17; D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D; D001081:Apyrase; C067869:CD39 antigen