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Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research

Patients with posttraumatic stress disorder exhibit an altered phenotype of regulatory T cells

Authors: Mladen Jergović, Krešo Bendelja, Anđelko Vidović, Ana Savić, Valerija Vojvoda, Neda Aberle, Sabina Rabatić, Tanja Jovanovic, Ante Sabioncello

Published in: Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

Background

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a key role in immune homeostasis in vivo. Tregs have a critical role in preventing the development of autoimmune diseases and defects in Treg function are implicated in various autoimmune disorders. Individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have higher prevalence of autoimmune disorders than the general population. We hypothesized that war veterans with PTSD would exhibit a decreased number and/or altered phenotype of Tregs.

Methods

We analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with PTSD (N = 21) (mean age = 45.9) and age-matched healthy controls (N = 23) (mean age = 45.7) to determine the proportion of Tregs and their phenotype according to the expression of CD127 and HLA-DR markers which describe the differentiation stages of Tregs. In addition, we analyzed the expression of membrane ectoenzyme CD39 on Tregs of the study groups, an important component of the suppressive machinery of Tregs.

Results

We found no differences in the proportion of Tregs between PTSD patients and controls, but PTSD patients had a higher percentage of CD127^-HLA-DR^- Tregs and a lower percentage of CD127^loHLA-DR⁺ Tregs compared to controls. There was no difference in expression of CD39 on Tregs of the study groups.

Conclusions

Although the proportions of Tregs in PTSD patients were unchanged, we found that they exhibit a different phenotype of Tregs that might be less suppressive. Impaired differentiation and function of Tregs is likely involved in disruption of immune homeostasis in PTSD.

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Title: Patients with posttraumatic stress disorder exhibit an altered phenotype of regulatory T cells
Authors: Mladen Jergović
Krešo Bendelja
Anđelko Vidović
Ana Savić
Valerija Vojvoda
Neda Aberle
Sabina Rabatić
Tanja Jovanovic
Ante Sabioncello
Publication date: 01-12-2014
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1710-1492
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1710-1492-10-43

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Patients with posttraumatic stress disorder exhibit an altered phenotype of regulatory T cells

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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