IL-22-secreting Th22 and IFN-γ-secreting Th17 cells in Behçet's disease.
OBJECTIVE
Behçet's disease (BD) is a systemic inflammatory disease with unknown etiology. Studies have shown that some T helper (Th) 1-associated cytokines have role in the inflammation of BD. The CD4(+) Th cells can be differentiated into Th1, Th2, Th17 and Th22 secrete different cytokines to regulate immune system. In this study, cytokine secretion of Th subsets in BD was investigated.


METHODS
The study group consisted of 26 BD patients with mucocutaneous involvement and 12 healthy subjects. Lymphocyte subpopulations, IL-5, IL-10, IL-17, IL-22 and IFN-γ secretion of CD4(+) T and Foxp3(+) Treg cells were determined by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
Compared with healthy subjects, Th1 (IL-17A(-)IL-22(-)IFN-γ(+)), Th22 (IL-17A(-)IL-22(+)IFN-γ) and IL-17A(+)IFN-γ(+)-secreting cells were significantly increased, and the percentage of Treg cells were dramatically reduced in BD patients. The frequency of recurrent oral ulcers was associated with increased Th22 cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study describes an association between Th22 cell subset and IL-17A(+) IFNγ(+)-secreting cells with mucocutaneous BD. These findings revealed that reduced levels of Tregs and increased levels of Th1 and Th22 cells as well as Th17/Th1 cells might be associated with the pathogenesis of BD.
Department of Immunology, Istanbul University, Institute of Experimental Medicine (DETAE) , Istanbul , Turkey.
Esin
E
Aktas Cetin
Fulya
F
Cosan
Ayse
A
Cefle
Gunnur
G
Deniz
D000328:Adult; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult; D000097043:Interleukin-22
D007371:Interferon-gamma; D007378:Interleukins; D000097043:Interleukin-22
Behçet's disease; Cytokines; IL-22; Th17 cells; Th22 cells