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12:59
Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes
Published on: September 26, 2013
Th17 peripheral cells are increased in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis compared with limited illness: a
Tatiana S Rodríguez-Reyna1, Janette Furuzawa-Carballeda, Javier Cabiedes
1Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga 15, Col. Sección XVI, CP 14000 Mexico City, Mexico. sofarodriguez@yahoo.com.mx
Rheumatology International
|July 27, 2011
Summary
Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) involves increased T helper 17 (Th17) and T helper 1 (Th1) cells. These findings highlight the significant role of Th17 and Th1 in SSc pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Autoimmune Diseases
Background:
- Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease marked by fibrosis and vasculopathy.
- T cells are a key feature of inflammatory lesions in SSc.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare T helper (Th) subpopulations in diffuse cutaneous (dc) and limited cutaneous (lc) SSc patients.
- To investigate differences in Th1, Th2, Th17, and regulatory T cells (Tregs) between SSc subtypes and control groups.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
- Samples were obtained from 57 dcSSc, 78 lcSSc patients, and healthy/disease controls (n=16-13).
- Analysis included Th1 (CD4+/IFN-γ+), Th2 (CD4+/IL-4+), Th17 (CD4+/IL-17+), and Treg (CD4+/CD25+/Foxp3+) subsets.
Main Results:
- Th17 and Th1 cells were significantly increased in SSc patients compared to healthy controls and active systemic lupus erythematosus (aSLE) patients.
- Th2 cells were elevated in dcSSc patients versus healthy and aSLE groups.
- Regulatory T cells (Tregs) were increased in active rheumatoid arthritis (aRA) patients compared to SSc and healthy groups. Immunosuppressive treatment correlated with lower Th17 and Th2 cells.
Conclusions:
- Th17 and Th1 cells play a predominant role in Systemic Sclerosis.
- Further in-depth investigation is warranted to fully understand these immunological findings in SSc.
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