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Published in:

01-10-2012

Changes of Treg-Associated Molecules on CD4⁺CD25⁺Treg Cells in Myasthenia Gravis and Effects of Immunosuppressants

Authors: Wen-Hua Xu, Ai-Mei Zhang, Ming-Shan Ren, Xu-Dong Zhang, Fang Wang, Xiu-Cai Xu, Qing Li, Jian Wang, Bang-Sheng Din, Yuan-Bo Wu, Gui-Hai Chen

Published in: Journal of Clinical Immunology | Issue 5/2012

Abstract

Objective

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a CD4⁺ T cell-dependent autoimmune disease, and close attention has been paid to the role of CD4⁺CD25⁺Treg cells (Tregs). Previous results regarding Tregs in MG patients have been conflicting. The discrepancy was partly ascribed to selecting different Treg-associated molecules in defining Tregs. Therefore, we considered it necessary to find a reliable index for assessing the immunologic state in MG patients and explore the effect of IS on them.

Methods

We adopted flow cytometric techniques to measure the numbers and frequencies of Tregs in peripheral blood taken from 57 patients and 91 age-matched healthy donors, and we also analyzed FOXP3 mean fluorescence intensity on Tregs.

Results

The number and frequency of Tregs in peripheral blood of MG patients significantly decreased, together with down-regulation of FOXP3 expression. There was dynamic change of Treg cell level and the inverse relationship with clinical symptom, suggesting that the immunologic disorder in MG patients was related to peripheral Tregs population. Meanwhile, CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺Helios⁺T cells might be activated Tregs, rather than nTregs. Moreover, the number and frequency of CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺Helios⁺T cells significantly decreased in MG patients, indicating that the reduction of the activated Tregs population might be a critical contributor to the pathogenesis of MG.

Conclusions

The significant reduction of the peripheral Tregs population in MG patients might be responsible for the immunologic disorders in MG patients. IS such as GC took its effect possible by increasing the population size, and the underlying mechanism should be further investigated.

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Title: Changes of Treg-Associated Molecules on CD4+CD25+Treg Cells in Myasthenia Gravis and Effects of Immunosuppressants
Authors: Wen-Hua Xu
Ai-Mei Zhang
Ming-Shan Ren
Xu-Dong Zhang
Fang Wang
Xiu-Cai Xu
Qing Li
Jian Wang
Bang-Sheng Din
Yuan-Bo Wu
Gui-Hai Chen
Publication date: 01-10-2012
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Clinical Immunology / Issue 5/2012
Print ISSN: 0271-9142
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2592
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10875-012-9685-0

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