title: Circulating T cell subsets are altered in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury.
abstract: Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) induces changes in the immune system, both acutely and chronically. To better understand changes in the chronic phase of SCI, we performed a prospective, observational study in a research institute and Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of an academic medical center to examine immune system parameters, including peripheral immune cell populations, in individuals with chronic SCI as compared to uninjured individuals. Here, we describe the relative frequencies of T cell populations in individuals with chronic SCI as compared to uninjured individuals. We show that the frequency of CD3+ and CD3+ CD4+ T cells are decreased in individuals with chronic SCI, although activated (HLA-DR+) CD4+ T cells are elevated in chronic SCI. We also examined regulatory T cells (Tregs), defined as CD3+ CD4+ CD25+ CD127lo and CCR4+, HLA-DR+ or CCR4+ HLA-DR+. To our knowledge, we provide the first evidence that CCR4+, HLA-DR+ or CCR4+ HLA-DR+ Tregs are expanded in individuals with SCI. These data support additional functional studies of T cells isolated from individuals with chronic SCI, where alterations in T cell homeostasis may contribute to immune dysfunction, such as immunity against infections or the persistence of chronic inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Lab of Neuroimmunology, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Monahan
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hofstra North Shore-LIJ SOM, 1554 Northern Blvd, 4th Floor, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.affiliation: Lab of Neuroimmunology, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA.|Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hofstra North Shore-LIJ SOM, 1554 Northern Blvd, 4th Floor, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA.
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gibbs
authors.affiliation: Trauma Center, Department of Surgery, North Shore University Hospital, 300 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bank
authors.affiliation: Lab of Neuroimmunology, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA. obloom@nshs.edu.|Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hofstra North Shore-LIJ SOM, 1554 Northern Blvd, 4th Floor, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA. obloom@nshs.edu.|Trauma Center, Department of Surgery, North Shore University Hospital, 300 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA. obloom@nshs.edu.|Department of Molecular Medicine, Hofstra North Shore-LIJ SOM, Hempstead, NY, 11549, USA. obloom@nshs.edu.
authors.forename: Ona
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bloom
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D001775:Blood Circulation; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000502:physiology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD
keywords: Regulatory T cells (Tregs); Spinal cord injury (SCI); T cells