幽门螺杆菌感染者CD4~+ CD25~+调节性T细胞的检测及其相关性分析

目的检测幽门螺杆菌(Helicobacter pylori,H.pylori)感染阳性的胃部疾病患者外周血中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞(Treg细胞)的百分含量及转化生长因子-β1(transforming growth factor-β1,TGF-β1)的水平,探讨CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞在H.pylori感染中的免疫调节作用及意义。方法采用流式细胞术检测H.pylori感染的慢性浅表性胃炎、胃癌前病变和胃癌患者外周血中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的含量、CD4+CD25+T细胞中表达FOXP3的细胞比例;并采用ELISA方法检测H.pylori感染者血清中TGF-β1的含量,无H.pylori感染的患者作为阴性对照。结果 H.pylori感染的患者外周血中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的百分含量及TGF-β1的水平较不伴有H.pylori感染的患者显著升高(P<0.05);H.pylori感染的浅表性胃炎、胃癌前病变及胃癌患者外周血中CD4+CD25+T淋巴细胞的百分含量及CD4+CD25+T细胞中表达FOXP3的细胞比例随病变严重程度的进展逐渐升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);H.pylori感染的患者血清中TGF-β1水平也随病变严重程度的进展逐渐升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 H.pylori感染可增加CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的含量和TGF-β1的水平;随着病变严重程度的进展,CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的含量和TGF-β1的水平逐渐升高,CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞百分含量和TGF-β1水平可作为临床判断病情进展的指标。     

CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ 调节性T 细胞与黑龙江省HIV/AIDS 患者病情 相关性的研究

目的:比较黑龙江省HIV/AIDS患者与健康对照者(healthy controls,HCs)外周血CD4+CD25+FoxP3+调节性T细胞数量、免疫抑制功能的变化,探讨CD4+CD25+FoxP3+调节性T细胞在HIV/AIDS感染过程中的作用。方法:采用流式细胞仪检测21例HIV/AIDS患者及20例健康对照组的外周血CD4+CD25+FoxP3+调节性T细胞数量的百分比及绝对数量;采用共同培养方法检测HIV/AIDS患者外周血CD4+CD25+FoxP3+调节性T细胞免疫抑制功能的变化;实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(RT-FQ-PCR)检测HIV/AIDS患者外周血CD4+CD25+FoxP3+调节性T细胞中FoxP3mRNA的表达。结果:黑龙江省HIV/AIDS患者外周血CD4+CD25+FoxP3+调节性T细胞比率明显高于HCs(P<0.01),而CD4+CD25+FoxP3+调节性T细胞的绝对计数显著下降,且与CD4+T细胞绝对计数成反比;混合淋巴细胞共同培养结果显示,HIV/AIDS患者外周血CD4+CD25+FoxP3+调节性T细胞的抑制功能无明显变化;HIV/AIDS患者外周血CD4+CD25+FoxP3+调节性T细胞的FoxP3 mRNA相对表达量无显著变化。结论:黑龙江省HIV/AIDS患者CD4+CD25+FoxP3+调节性T细胞的数量变化与病情相关。     

非霍奇金淋巴瘤患者外周血中CD4+CD25+ 调节性T 细胞 亚群变化初探

目的:检测非霍奇金淋巴瘤(non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma,NHL)患者外周血中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞(CD4+CD25+regulatoryT cell,Treg)的改变,探讨Treg与NHL的相关性。方法:病例组(n=60)为本院收治的初诊NHL患者,对照组(n=60)为本院健康体检者,用流式细胞技术联合标记CD4、CD25检测对照组及病例组化疗前、化疗后的外周血中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的分布特点。结果:(1)病例组化疗前外周血中CD4+细胞比例显著低于对照组(P<0.05),CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞比例显著高于对照组(P<0.05);(2)病例组化疗后,CD4+细胞比例明显高于化疗前(P<0.05),CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞比例明显低于化疗前(P<0.05);(3)病例组化疗后CD4+细胞比例与对照组无显著差异(P>0.05),而CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞比例显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:非霍奇金淋巴瘤患者外周血中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞比例升高,存在机体免疫抑制,化疗可降低CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞比例。     

嗜血细胞综合征患儿外周血CD_4~+CD_(25)~+调节性T细胞变化及临床意义

目的观察嗜血细胞综合征(hemophagocytic syndrome,HPS)患儿外周血中调节性T细胞(RegulatoryTcells,Treg细胞)的变化,探讨其在HPS发病中的作用及临床意义。方法应用流式细胞仪检测17例初诊HPS患者(初诊组)、11例经诱导治疗后临床缓解者(缓解组)及20例健康人群(对照组)外周血中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞。结果与对照组相比较,HPS患者初诊组及缓解组外周血CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞均升高(P0.05)。与初诊组相比较,缓解组CD4+CD25+Treg细胞降低(P0.05),但仍高于正常对照组(P0.05)。结论CD4+CD25+Treg细胞增多可能是HPS患者免疫功能受抑的重要原因之一,其变化对于HPS的预后判断有一定的意义。     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者外周血CD4+CD25+CD127(Low/-)调节性T细胞的检测及临床意义

目的:研究CD4+CD25+CD127(Low/-)节性T细胞在慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)急性发作期外周血中的比例改变及其临床意义.方法:以25例COPD急性发作期患者外周血为研究组,20名正常人外周血作为对照组,采用三色直接荧光素标记法和多参数流式细胞仪检测外周血CD4+CD25+CD127(Low/-)调节性T细胞的比例,同时检测外周血C-反应蛋白(CRP)、血沉(ESR)、免疫球蛋白(Ig)等水平.结果:COPD急性发作期患者外周血CD4+CD25+CD127(Low/-)调节性T细胞占外周血CD4+淋巴细胞的比例明显低于健康对照组(P＜0.01).而COPD急性发作期患者外周血CRP、ESR、Ig等水平明显高于健康对照组(P＜0.05).COPD患者外周血调节T细胞下降与CRP和IgG升高成负相关.结论:COPD患者外周血CD4+CD25+CD127(Low/-)调节性T细胞在CD4+T淋巴细胞的比例明显减少,调节性T细胞等免疫调节因素可能在COPD的发病机制发挥重要作用.     

宫颈癌患者外周血CD4+CD25+high调节性T细胞的表达及意义

目的:探讨宫颈癌患者外周血中CD4~ CD25~( high)调节性T(regulator T cells,Tr)的表达及意义。方法:采用流式细胞术检测52例宫颈癌患者,35例健康女性外周血中CD4~ CD25~( high)Tr、细胞毒性T细胞(cytotoxic T lymphocytes,CTL)和NK细胞,采用ELISA检测血清中-干扰素(interferon,IFN-)的表达水平。结果:宫颈癌患者外周血CD4~ CD25~( high)Tr占CD4~ T淋巴细胞的百分比为(7.18±2.32)%,高于健康女性组(P<0.05);宫颈癌患者外周血CD4~ CD25~( high)Tr水平与CTL、NK细胞及IFN-水平呈负相关。结论:宫颈癌患者外周血中具免疫抑制活性的CD4~ CD25~( high)Tr水平较高,参与宫颈癌患者的肿瘤免疫抑制。     

CD4~+CD25~+调节性T细胞与肿瘤免疫研究进展

调节性T细胞(Treg)是一类具有免疫调节功能的细胞群,在机体的免疫耐受中起着关键性作用。它们主要通过细胞-细胞直接接触的方式抑制CD4+和CD8+效应性T细胞的活化和增殖,来调节获得性免疫系统,阻止自身免疫疾病的发生。Treg中以自然产生的CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞(固有Treg细胞)研究最多。在人类,调控效能主要限于CD4+CD25high亚型。由于Treg独特的生物学功能,它在自身免疫性疾病的发生、移植耐受和肿瘤的发生和转归上越来越受到重视。该文就该类细胞的特点及其与肿瘤关系的研究进展作一综述。     

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞在自身免疫性肝炎发病中的作用

目的:比较自身免疫性肝炎(autoimmune hepatitis,AIH)患者与健康对照者(healthy controls,HCs)外周血CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞(CD4+CD25+Tregs)数量、免疫抑制功能的变化,探讨CD4+CD25+Tregs参与AIH发病的可能机制.方法:采用流式细胞仪检测8例AIH患者及15例健康对照组的外周血CD4+CD25+Tregs数量的百分比及绝时数量;采用共同培养方法检测AIH患者外周血CD4+CD25+Tregs的免疫抑制功能的变化;实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(RT-FQ-PCR)检删AIH患者外周血CD4+CD25+Tregs中FoxP3mRNA的表达.结果:AIH患者外周血CD4+CD25+Tregs数量明显低于HCs(p<0.01);混合淋巴细胞共同培养结果显示,AIH患者外周血CD4+CD25+Tregs抑制功能明显低于HCs组(p<0.01);AIH患者外周血CD4+CD25+Tregs的FoxP3 mRNA相对表达量显著降低,与HCs组比较有显著性差异(p<0.01).结论:CD4+CD25+Tregs细胞的数量的减少和Foxp3表达的降低所造成的CD4+CD25+Tregs细胞免疫抑制功能受损可能是AIH发病的一个因素.     

慢性丙型肝炎患者CD4~+CD25~+Treg细胞对树突状细胞的作用

目的探讨慢性丙型肝炎(HCV)患者CD4+CD25+Treg细胞对外周血树突状细胞的作用。方法对35例HCV患者和35例健康对照各抽取外周血,采用密度梯度离心法分离外周血单个核细胞(PBMC),采用特异性免疫磁珠分选获得CD4+CD25+Treg细胞,并体外诱导培养获得树突状细胞(DCs);将CD4+CD25+Treg细胞与DC共培养5d后,采用流式细胞仪检测DC表面标志CD83、CD80、HLADR的表达,同时酶联免疫吸附法检测上清液中IL-10和TGF-β含量。结果与健康对照组相比,HCV患者CD83、CD80和HLA-DR的表达均显著下降,差异有统计学意义(P0.01);HCV组患者CD4+CD25+Treg分泌IL-10和TGF-β的水平均高于健康组(P0.01)。结论 HCV患者外周血Treg细胞能够抑制DC的成熟,细胞因子参与了免疫应答的调节。     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者外周血CD4~＋CD25~＋CD127~（（Low/-））调节性T细胞的检测及临床意义

目的：研究CD4＋CD25＋CD127（Low/-）调节性T细胞在慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）急性发作期外周血中的比例改变及其临床意义。方法：以25例COPD急性发作期患者外周血为研究组,20名正常人外周血作为对照组,采用三色直接荧光素标记法和多参数流式细胞仪检测外周血CD4＋CD25＋CD127（Low/-）调节性T细胞的比例,同时检测外周血C-反应蛋白（CRP）、血沉（ESR）、免疫球蛋白（Ig）等水平。结果：COPD急性发作期患者外周血CD4＋CD25＋CD127（Low/-）调节性T细胞占外周血CD4＋T淋巴细胞的比例明显低于健康对照组（P〈0.01）。而COPD急性发作期患者外周血CRP、ESR、Ig等水平明显高于健康对照组（P〈0.05）。COPD患者外周血调节T细胞下降与CRP和IgG升高成负相关。结论：COPD患者外周血CD4＋CD25＋CD127（Low/-）调节性T细胞在CD4＋T淋巴细胞的比例明显减少,调节性T细胞等免疫调节因素可能在COPD的发病机制发挥重要作用。     

Deficient CD4+CD25high T regulatory cell function in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus

CD4(+)CD25(+) T regulatory cells (Tregs) play an essential role in maintaining immunologic homeostasis and preventing autoimmunity. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by a loss of tolerance to nuclear components. We hypothesized that altered function of CD4(+)CD25(high) Tregs might play a role in the breakdown of immunologic self-tolerance in patients with SLE. In this study, we report a significant decrease in the suppressive function of CD4(+)CD25(high) Tregs from peripheral blood of patients with active SLE as compared with normal donors and patients with inactive SLE. Notably, CD4(+)CD25(high) Tregs isolated from patients with active SLE expressed reduced levels of FoxP3 mRNA and protein and poorly suppressed the proliferation and cytokine secretion of CD4(+) effector T cells in vitro. In contrast, the expression of FoxP3 mRNA and protein and in vitro suppression of the proliferation of CD4(+) effector T cells by Tregs isolated from inactive SLE patients, was comparable to that of normal individuals. In vitro activation of CD4(+)CD25(high) Tregs from patients with active SLE increased FoxP3 mRNA and protein expression and restored their suppressive function. These data are the first to demonstrate a reversible defect in CD4(+)CD25(high) Treg function in patients with active SLE, and suggest that strategies to enhance the function of these cells might benefit patients with this autoimmune disease.     

Increased CD45RA+ FoxP3(low) regulatory T cells with impaired suppressive function in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND: The role of naturally occurring regulatory T cells (Treg) in the control of the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has not been well defined. Therefore, we dissect the phenotypically heterogeneous CD4(+)FoxP3(+) T cells into subpopulations during the dynamic SLE development. METHODLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To evaluate the proliferative and suppressive capacities of different CD4(+) T cell subgroups between active SLE patients and healthy donors, we employed CD45RA and CD25 as surface markers and carboxyfluorescein diacetatesuccinimidyl ester (CFSE) dilution assay. In addition, multiplex cytokines expression in active SLE patients was assessed using Luminex assay. Here, we showed a significant increase in the frequency of CD45RA(+)FoxP3(low) naive Treg cells (nTreg cells) and CD45RA(-)FoxP3(low) (non-Treg) cells in patients with active SLE. In active SLE patients, the increased proportions of CD45RA(+)FoxP3(low) nTreg cells were positively correlated with the disease based on SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) and the status of serum anti-dsDNA antibodies. We found that the surface marker combination of CD25(+)CD45RA(+) can be used to defined CD45RA(+)FoxP3(low) nTreg cells for functional assays, wherein nTreg cells from active SLE patients demonstrated defective suppression function. A significant correlation was observed between inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-12 and TNFα, and the frequency of nTreg cells. Furthermore, the CD45RA(+)FoxP3(low) nTreg cell subset increased when cultured with SLE serum compared to healthy donor serum, suggesting that the elevated inflammatory cytokines of SLE serum may promote nTreg cell proliferation/expansion. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results indicate that impaired numbers of functional CD45RA(+)FoxP3(low) naive Treg cell and CD45RA(-)FoxP3(low) non-suppressive T cell subsets in inflammatory conditions may contribute to SLE development. Therefore, analysis of subsets of FoxP3(+) T cells, using a combination of FoxP3, CD25 and CD45RA, rather than whole FoxP3(+) T cells, will help us to better understand the pathogenesis of SLE and may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies.     

CD8+ Treg Cells Associated with Decreasing Disease Activity after Intravenous Methylprednisolone Pulse Therapy in Lupus Nephritis with Heavy Proteinuria

We focus on the role of CD8⁺ Treg cell in Intravenous methyl-prednisolone (IVMP) pulse therapy in forty patients with active Class III/IV childhood lupus nephritis (LN) with heavy proteinuria. IVMP therapy for five days. From peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and renal tissues, we saw IVMP therapy definitely restoring both CD4⁺CD25⁺FoxP3⁺ and CD8⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ Treg cell number plus greater expression with intracellular IL-10 and granzyme B in CD8⁺FoxP3⁺ Treg from PBMCs. IVMP-treated CD8⁺CD25⁺ Treg cells directly suppressed CD4⁺ T proliferation and induced CD4⁺CD45RO⁺ apoptosis. Histologically, CD4⁺FoxP3⁺ as well as CD8⁺FoxP3⁺ Treg cells appeared in renal tissue of LN patients before IVMP by double immunohistochemical stain. CD8⁺FoxP3⁺ Treg cells increased in 10 follow-up renal biopsy specimens after IVMP. Reverse correlation of serum anti-C1q antibody and FoxP3⁺ Treg cells in PBMNCs (r = −0.714, P<0.01). After IVMP, serum anti-C1q antibody decrease accompanied increase of CD4⁺FoxP3⁺ Treg cells. CD8⁺Treg cells reduced interferon-r response in PBMCs to major peptide autoepitopes from nucleosomes after IVMP therapy; siRNA of FoxP3 suppressed granzyme B expression while decreasing CD8⁺CD25⁺Treg-induced CD4⁺CD45RO⁺ apoptosis. Renal activity of LN by SLEDAI-2k in childhood LN was significantly higher than two weeks after IVMP (P<0.01). CD8⁺FoxP3⁺ Treg cells return in post-IVMP therapy and exert crucial immune modulatory effect to control autoimmune response in LN.

Trial Registration

DMR97-IRB-259     

Low frequency of CD8+CD25+FOXP3(BRIGHT) T cells and FOXP3 mRNA expression in the peripheral blood of allergic asthma patients

The aim of this study is to determine whether frequencies of CD8+CD25+ T cells and FoxP3 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels in CD8+ T cells isolated from peripheral blood are related to allergic asthma and disease severity. We enrolled 50 patients with allergic asthma (AA) and 25 healthy control subjects (NC) in our study. The frequencies of CD8+CD25+FoxP3 -/+ T cells were assessed with flow cytometry, and mRNA FoxP3 level in CD8+ T cells was determined with real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Asthma patients had fewer CD8+CD25+FoxP3bright T cells [SA (median = 3.4%, IQR = 3.1) vs MA (median = 7.5%, IQR = 4.7)] than controls NC [median = 12.1 %, IQR = 8, P < 0.0001] but more CD8+CD25+FoxP3- T cells [SA (median = 96 %, IQR = 3.1) vs MA (median = 92.5%, IQR = 4.7)] than controls NC [median = 87.9%, IQR = 9.2, P < 0.0001]. FoxP3 mRNA level was significantly decreased in CD8+ T cells of severe asthma patients (median = 0.82, IQR = 0.54) than that of patients with mild to moderate asthma and controls [(median = 2.29, IQR = 4.40) vs (median = 2.11, IQR = 3.2)]. The percentage of FoxP3+ T cells was correlated positively with the percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (r = 0.71, p< 0.01) in patients with severe asthma. The proportion of CD8+CD25+FoxP3bright T cells and the level of FOXP3 gene expression in CD8+ T cells are relevant to allergic asthma and disease severity. The manipulation of FoxP3+CD25+CD8+ T cells may prevent chronic allergic inflammation and improve lung function during an acute allergic asthma exacerbation.     

CD4+CD25bright regulatory T cells actively regulate inflammation in the joints of patients with the remitting form of juvenile idiopathic arthritis

This study investigates the role of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells during the clinical course of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Persistent oligoarticular JIA (pers-OA JIA) is a subtype of JIA with a relatively benign, self-remitting course while extended oligoarticular JIA (ext-OA JIA) is a subtype with a much less favorable prognosis. Our data show that patients with pers-OA JIA display a significantly higher frequency of CD4(+)CD25(bright) T cells with concomitant higher levels of mRNA FoxP3 in the peripheral blood than ext-OA JIA patients. Furthermore, while numbers of synovial fluid (SF) CD4(+)CD25(bright) T cells were equal in both patient groups, pers-OA JIA patients displayed a higher frequency of CD4(+)CD25(int) T cells and therefore of CD4(+)CD25(total) in the SF than ext-OA JIA patients. Analysis of FoxP3 mRNA levels revealed a high expression in SF CD4(+)CD25(bright) T cells of both patient groups and also significant expression of FoxP3 mRNA in the CD4(+)CD25(int) T cell population. The CD4(+)CD25(bright) cells of both patient groups and the CD4(+)CD25(int) cells of pers-OA JIA patients were able to suppress responses of CD25(neg) cells in vitro. A markedly higher expression of CTLA-4, glucocorticoid-induced TNFR, and HLA-DR on SF CD4(+)CD25(bright) T regulatory (Treg) cells compared with their peripheral counterparts suggests that the CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells may undergo maturation in the joint. In correlation with this mature phenotype, the SF CD4(+)CD25(bright) T cells showed an increased regulatory capacity in vitro compared with peripheral blood CD4(+)CD25(bright) T cells. These data suggest that CD4(+)CD25(bright) Treg cells play a role in determining the patient's fate toward either a favorable or unfavorable clinical course of disease.     

Circulating and liver resident CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells actively influence the antiviral immune response and disease progression in patients with hepatitis B

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) have been shown to maintain immune tolerance against self and foreign Ags, but their role in persistent viral infection has not been well-defined. In this study, we investigated whether and where CD4+CD25+ Treg contribute to the development of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). One hundred twenty-one patients were enrolled, including 16 patients with acute hepatitis B, 76 with CHB, and 29 with chronic severe hepatitis B. We demonstrated that in chronic severe hepatitis B patients, the frequencies of CD4+CD25+ Treg in both PBMC and liver-infiltrating lymphocytes were significantly increased and there was a dramatic increase of FoxP3(+)-cell and inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver compared with healthy controls. In CHB patients, circulating CD4+CD25+ Treg frequency significantly correlates with serum viral load. In acute hepatitis B patients, circulating CD4+CD25+ Treg frequency was initially low and with time, the profile reversed to exhibit an increased number of circulating Treg in the convalescent phase and restored to normal levels upon resolution. In PBMC taken from infected patients, depletion of CD4+CD25+ Treg led to an increase of IFN-gamma production by HBV-Ag-stimulated PBMC. In addition, CD4+CD25+ Treg were capable of suppressing proliferation of autologous PBMC mediated by HBV Ags, which probably reflects the generation of HBV-Ag-specific Treg in circulation and in the liver of HBV-infected patients. Together, our findings suggest that CD4+CD25+ Treg play an active role not only in modulating effectors of immune response to HBV infection, but also in influencing the disease prognosis in patients with hepatitis B.     

Identification and in vitro expansion of functional antigen-specific CD25+ FoxP3+ regulatory T cells in hepatitis C virus infection

CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (CD25(+) Tregs) play a key role in immune regulation. Since hepatitis C virus (HCV) persists with increased circulating CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells and virus-specific effector T-cell dysfunction, we asked if CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells in HCV-infected individuals are similar to natural Tregs in uninfected individuals and if they include HCV-specific Tregs using the specific Treg marker FoxP3 at the single-cell level. We report that HCV-infected patients display increased circulating FoxP3(+) Tregs that are phenotypically and functionally indistinguishable from FoxP3(+) Tregs in uninfected subjects. Furthermore, HCV-specific FoxP3(+) Tregs were detected in HCV-seropositive persons with antigen-specific expansion, major histocompatibility complex class II/peptide tetramer binding affinity, and preferential suppression of HCV-specific CD8 T cells. Transforming growth factor beta contributed to antigen-specific Treg expansion in vitro, suggesting that it may contribute to antigen-specific Treg expansion in vivo. Interestingly, FoxP3 expression was also detected in influenza virus-specific CD4 T cells. In conclusion, functionally active and virus-specific FoxP3(+) Tregs are induced in HCV infection, thus providing targeted immune regulation in vivo. Detection of FoxP3 expression in non-HCV-specific CD4 T cells suggests that immune regulation through antigen-specific Treg induction extends beyond HCV.