Hypertriglyceridemia in Type 2 Diabetes Is Associated With T Regulatory Cell Dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Endocrinology
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) independently elevate vascular complication risk.
• Inflammation is a key pathological mechanism linking HTG, T2DM, and vascular disease.
• T-regulatory (Treg) cells (CD4+CD25+forkheadbox-P3(FoxP3)+) regulate inflammation via IL-10 secretion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate Treg cell function markers in T2DM patients with and without HTG.
• To assess the impact of HTG on FOXP3 and IL-10 gene expression in T2DM patients.
• To evaluate serum soluble CD25 (sCD25) levels as a potential indicator of Treg dysfunction in this cohort.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to measure FOXP3 and IL-10 gene expression.
• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify serum sCD25 levels.
• Comparison of gene expression and protein levels between T2DM patients with normal triglycerides (DNT group) and those with HTG (DHTg group).

Main Results:

• DHTg patients exhibited significantly reduced FOXP3 and IL-10 gene expression compared to the DNT group.
• Serum sCD25 levels were significantly higher in the DHTg group (p=0.04).
• FOXP3 and IL-10 expression showed a positive correlation in both patient groups, with reductions observed across different body mass index categories in the DHTg cohort.

Conclusions:

• Compromised Treg function, evidenced by reduced FOXP3 and IL-10, is present in T2DM patients with HTG.
• This Treg impairment may exacerbate inflammatory stress, contributing to atherosclerosis risk.
• Elevated sCD25 and obesity's influence on Treg function warrant further investigation, suggesting Tregs as a potential therapeutic target.