Vol 49, No 4 (2011)
Original paper
Submitted: 2012-01-16
Published online: 2012-01-16
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.
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)
Keywords
systemic lupus erythematosus; regulatory T-cells; Th17 cells; Th1 cells
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