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Increased CD4+ T cells during acute attack of Ménière's disease
Bulent Mamikoglu1, Richard J Wiet, Timothy Hain
1Research Institute, Evanston Northwestern Health Care, Evanston, IL, USA. Bulent_Mamikoglu@chs.net
Objective:
We aimed to investigate if there is an alteration in CD4 and CD8 T-cell populations and in CD25 and CD49d activation antigens linked to these cells during an acute attack of Ménière's disease (MD).
Material And Methods:
Patients with MD who met the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery criteria for the disease and healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were collected during an acute attack of MD and when the disease was in its quiescent phase.
Results:
16 patients with MD and nine healthy controls were enrolled. The percentage of CD4 (T helper) cells was significantly increased during an acute attack of MD compared to that in healthy controls and in patients in the quiescent phase (71% vs 58% and 59%, respectively; p < 0.05). The increase in activation antigens was not statistically significant.
Conclusion:
To our knowledge this is the first demonstration of an increase in CD4 cells during an acute attack of MD. Further investigation is required to clarify the role of T cells in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Insights
During Ménière's disease attacks, CD4 T-helper cells significantly increase. This study highlights a potential immune system role in acute Ménière's disease, warranting further research into T-cell involvement.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Otolaryngology
- Neurology
Background:
- Ménière's disease (MD) is a disorder of the inner ear.
- The pathogenesis of MD is not fully understood.
- Immune system involvement in MD is an area of ongoing investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in CD4 and CD8 T-cell populations during acute Ménière's disease (MD).
- To examine changes in CD25 and CD49d activation antigens on T-cells during acute MD attacks.
- To compare T-cell profiles during acute MD attacks versus quiescent phases and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study enrolling patients with MD and healthy controls.
- Blood samples collected during acute MD attacks and quiescent disease phases.
- Flow cytometry used to analyze CD4, CD8 T-cell populations and activation antigens.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in the percentage of CD4 (T helper) cells was observed during acute MD attacks compared to controls and quiescent phases (71% vs 58% and 59%, p < 0.05).
- No statistically significant increase was found in the activation antigens CD25 and CD49d.
- Study included 16 MD patients and 9 healthy controls.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence of increased CD4 T-cells during acute Ménière's disease attacks.
- The findings suggest a potential role for T-cells in the pathophysiology of MD.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the specific function of T-cells in Ménière's disease.