title: Inverse correlation between CD4+ CD25high CD127low/- regulatory T-cells and serum immunoglobulin A in patients with new-onset ankylosing spondylitis.
abstract: This study investigated the role of regulatory T (T(reg)) cells in patients with new-onset, treatment-naïve ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Levels of CD4(+)CD25(high)CD127(low/-) T(reg) cells in the peripheral blood of 14 AS patients  and 18 age-matched healthy volunteers were investigated by flow cytometry and correlations with serum levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and AS activity, as assessed by the Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), were analysed. The number of peripheral blood CD4(+)CD25(high)CD127(low/-)  T(reg) cells in AS patients was found to be significantly lower than in healthy controls and was inversely correlated with serum IgA levels. There was no significant correlation between CD4(+)CD25(high)CD127(low/-) T(reg) cell numbers and  BASDAI scores. It is concluded that CD4(+)CD25(high)CD127(low/-) T(reg) cells may play a role in the pathogenesis and activity of AS.
authors: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Wenzhou Medical College Affiliated with Dongyang Hospital, Dongyang, China.
authors: S-S
authors: SS
authors: Zhao
authors: J-W
authors: JW
authors: Hu
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Wang
authors: X-J
authors: XJ
authors: Lou
authors: L-L
authors: LL
authors: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood*; D053666:Interleukin-5 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000378:metabolism*; D053699:Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D053666:Interleukin-5 Receptor alpha Subunit; D053699:Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit