Vol 69, No 12 (2011)
Original articles
Published online: 2011-12-15
Transformation of conventional T cells into regulatory T cells in children with metabolic syndrome
DOI: 10.33963/v.kp.79444
Kardiol Pol 2011;69(12):1221-1226.
Abstract
Background: Much research has been done in the recent years to establish an association between obesity, metabolic
syndrome and the immune system. Numerous data suggest that the decreased number and/or function of regulatory T cells
(Treg cells) can lead to chronic minimal inflammation present in patients with obesity and trigger formation of atherosclerotic
plaque.
Aim: To generate Treg cells from the peripheral blood in children meeting the diagnostic criteria of metabolic syndrome.
Methods: A total of 25 children with metabolic syndrome and 25 controls were enrolled in the study. Peripheral blood was collected, CD4+/CD25– cells were separated and cultured for 4 weeks in the presence of a Treg expander (CD3/CD28) and interleukin-2. The expression of the transcription factor FoxP3 as a Treg marker was assessed before and after culture using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and flow cytometry.
Results: Before the culture we observed a slightly lower percentage of Treg cells in children with metabolic syndrome vs controls. After the culture we noted a significant increase in mRNA expression and in the percentage of FoxP3-positive cells. We observed no differences in the results between the children with metabolic syndrome and the controls.
Conclusions: Our study shows that it is possible to generate Treg cells from peripheral blood of children with metabolic syndrome. In future, these findings could be used to develop a model of immunotherapeutic intervention for patients at risk of cardiovascular disease.
Kardiol Pol 2011; 69, 12: 1221–1226
Aim: To generate Treg cells from the peripheral blood in children meeting the diagnostic criteria of metabolic syndrome.
Methods: A total of 25 children with metabolic syndrome and 25 controls were enrolled in the study. Peripheral blood was collected, CD4+/CD25– cells were separated and cultured for 4 weeks in the presence of a Treg expander (CD3/CD28) and interleukin-2. The expression of the transcription factor FoxP3 as a Treg marker was assessed before and after culture using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and flow cytometry.
Results: Before the culture we observed a slightly lower percentage of Treg cells in children with metabolic syndrome vs controls. After the culture we noted a significant increase in mRNA expression and in the percentage of FoxP3-positive cells. We observed no differences in the results between the children with metabolic syndrome and the controls.
Conclusions: Our study shows that it is possible to generate Treg cells from peripheral blood of children with metabolic syndrome. In future, these findings could be used to develop a model of immunotherapeutic intervention for patients at risk of cardiovascular disease.
Kardiol Pol 2011; 69, 12: 1221–1226
Keywords: metabolic syndromeobesityregulatory T cellschildren
