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Published on: February 2, 2017
Obesity Influences T CD4 Lymphocytes Subsets Profiles in Children and Adolescent's Immune Response
Rafael Silva Lima1, Mayara Belchior-Bezerra1, Daniela Silva de Oliveira1
1Laboratório de Biologia das Interações Celulares, Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Insights
Obesity alters CD4+ T cell profiles in children, affecting immune responses and inflammation. This study reveals specific changes in T cell subsets and cytokine levels, contributing to understanding pediatric obesity
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- CD4+ T cells are implicated in systemic inflammation associated with adult obesity.
- The specific profile of CD4+ T cells in pediatric obesity remains largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the profile of CD4+ T lymphocytes in children and adolescents with obesity.
- To determine plasma cytokine levels in pediatric obesity.
- To understand the role of CD4+ T cells in pediatric obesity-related inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to compare CD4+ T cell expression profiles in children with obesity (OB group, n=20) versus eutrophic children (EU group, n=16).
- Analysis included lymphocyte markers, transcription factors, cytokines, and immune response regulators.
- Plasma cytokine levels were quantified using cytometric bead array (CBA).
Main Results:
- The OB group showed lower frequencies of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells expressing CD28, IL-4, and FOXP3.
- Increased frequency of CD4+IL-17A+ cells was observed in the OB group.
- Th2, Th17, and Treg profiles differentiated the groups, with reduced IL-10 plasma levels in the OB group, correlating negatively with adiposity.
Conclusions:
- Children and adolescents with obesity exhibit altered CD4+ T cell expression patterns.
- These alterations contribute to the inflammatory state and clinical features of pediatric obesity.
- Specific T cell profiles and reduced IL-10 levels are key indicators in pediatric obesity.
Background:
Evidence shows that CD4+ T cells are altered in obesity and play a significant role in the systemic inflammation in adults with the disease.
Objectives:
Because the profile of these cells is poorly understood in the pediatric population, this study aims to investigate the profile of CD4+ T lymphocytes and the plasma levels of cytokines in this population.
Methods:
Using flow cytometry, we compared the expression profile of lymphocyte markers, master transcription factors, cytokines, and molecules involved in the regulation of the immune response in CD4+ T cells from children and adolescents with obesity (OB group, n = 20) with those with eutrophy group (EU group, n = 16). Plasma levels of cytokines in both groups were determined by cytometric bead array (CBA).
Results:
The OB group presents a lower frequency of CD3+ T cells, as well as a decreased frequency of CD4+ T cells expressing CD28, IL-4, and FOXP3, but an increased frequency of CD4+IL-17A+ cells compared with the EU group. The frequency of CD28 is increased in Th2 and Treg cells in the OB group, whereas CTLA-4 is decreased in all subpopulations compared with the EU group. Furthermore, Th2, Th17, and Treg profiles can differentiate the EU and OB groups. IL-10 plasma levels are reduced in the OB group and negatively correlated with adiposity and inflammatory parameters.
Conclusions:
CD4+ T cells have an altered pattern of expression in children and adolescents with obesity, contributing to the inflammatory state and clinical characteristics of these patients.
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