open access

Vol 49, No 4 (2011)
Original paper
Submitted: 2012-01-16
Published online: 2012-01-16
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Imbalance between Th17 and regulatory T-cells in systemic lupus erythematosus

Weronika Kleczynska, Bogdan Jakiela, Hanna Plutecka, Mamert Milewski, Marek Sanak, Jacek Musial
DOI: 10.5603/FHC.2011.0088
·
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2011;49(4):646-653.

open access

Vol 49, No 4 (2011)
ORIGINAL PAPERS
Submitted: 2012-01-16
Published online: 2012-01-16

Abstract

Impaired function of regulatory T-cells (Treg) leads to a failure in immune tolerance and triggers autoimmunity. We analyzed whether the deficiency in Treg in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is accompanied by an increase in effector T-cell responses. We studied the frequencies of IL-17A (Th17) and IFNg (Th1) producing CD4+ T-cells by flow cytometric detection of intracellular cytokines in PMA/ionomycin stimulated blood lymphocytes from seven patients with active SLE, eight with SLE in remission, and 11 healthy controls. Circulating Treg were evaluated as CD4+CD25+ lymphocytes expressing FoxP3. There was no difference in the percentage of Treg cells between the groups, but their absolute counts were decreased in active SLE (5 [1–7] cells/μL) compared to inactive SLE (11 [6–15]; p = 0.05) and healthy controls (16 [10–20]; p < 0.01). Both the frequency and numbers of Th1 cells were decreased in SLE compared to controls. No difference was observed in the number of Th17 cells, which resulted in a decreased Th1/Th17 ratio. In parallel, a higher Treg/Th17 ratio in healthy controls (2.2 [1.8–3.6]) compared to active SLE (1.1 [1.0–2.1]; p < 0.05) was observed. There was a correlation between the number of Treg cells and disease activity status (SLEDAI, r = –0.59). SLE patients in the active phase of the disease are characterized by a deficiency in Treg cells and decreased Treg/Th17 ratio. This suggests that the imbalance between major T-cells subsets might be responsible for an increased proinflammatory response in the exacerbation of SLE. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2011; Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 646–653)

Abstract

Impaired function of regulatory T-cells (Treg) leads to a failure in immune tolerance and triggers autoimmunity. We analyzed whether the deficiency in Treg in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is accompanied by an increase in effector T-cell responses. We studied the frequencies of IL-17A (Th17) and IFNg (Th1) producing CD4+ T-cells by flow cytometric detection of intracellular cytokines in PMA/ionomycin stimulated blood lymphocytes from seven patients with active SLE, eight with SLE in remission, and 11 healthy controls. Circulating Treg were evaluated as CD4+CD25+ lymphocytes expressing FoxP3. There was no difference in the percentage of Treg cells between the groups, but their absolute counts were decreased in active SLE (5 [1–7] cells/μL) compared to inactive SLE (11 [6–15]; p = 0.05) and healthy controls (16 [10–20]; p < 0.01). Both the frequency and numbers of Th1 cells were decreased in SLE compared to controls. No difference was observed in the number of Th17 cells, which resulted in a decreased Th1/Th17 ratio. In parallel, a higher Treg/Th17 ratio in healthy controls (2.2 [1.8–3.6]) compared to active SLE (1.1 [1.0–2.1]; p < 0.05) was observed. There was a correlation between the number of Treg cells and disease activity status (SLEDAI, r = –0.59). SLE patients in the active phase of the disease are characterized by a deficiency in Treg cells and decreased Treg/Th17 ratio. This suggests that the imbalance between major T-cells subsets might be responsible for an increased proinflammatory response in the exacerbation of SLE. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2011; Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 646–653)
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Keywords

systemic lupus erythematosus; regulatory T-cells; Th17 cells; Th1 cells

About this article
Title

Imbalance between Th17 and regulatory T-cells in systemic lupus erythematosus

Journal

Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica

Issue

Vol 49, No 4 (2011)

Article type

Original paper

Pages

646-653

Published online

2012-01-16

Page views

3029

Article views/downloads

3642

DOI

10.5603/FHC.2011.0088

Bibliographic record

Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2011;49(4):646-653.

Keywords

systemic lupus erythematosus
regulatory T-cells
Th17 cells
Th1 cells

Authors

Weronika Kleczynska
Bogdan Jakiela
Hanna Plutecka
Mamert Milewski
Marek Sanak
Jacek Musial

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