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Identification of CD244-expressing myeloid-derived suppressor cells in patients with active tuberculosis
Bingfen Yang1, Xinjing Wang1, Jing Jiang1
1Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis Prevention and Treatment of PLA, Division of Research, Institute of Tuberculosis, 309 Hospital, 17 Hei Shan Hu Road, Haidian, Beijing 100091, China.
Insights
Researchers identified a specific subpopulation of cells, CD3(-)CD244(high) cells, in patients with active tuberculosis (TB). These cells function as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and may serve as a novel biomarker for TB diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Tuberculosis Research
Background:
- Active tuberculosis (TB) is associated with immune suppression, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood.
- Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are known for their potent immunosuppressive capabilities, impacting both innate and adaptive immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of CD244 (2B4)-expressing cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with active TB.
- To characterize a specific CD3(-)CD244(high) cell subpopulation and assess its potential as a biomarker for active TB.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze PBMCs from active TB patients and healthy controls.
- Phenotypic characterization of the CD3(-)CD244(high) cell population was performed using various cell surface markers.
- Expression levels of NOS2 and correlations with T cell activation markers were assessed.
Main Results:
- A distinct CD3(-)CD244(high) cell subpopulation was identified in active TB patients.
- These cells exhibited phenotypes consistent with human myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs).
- Higher frequencies of CD3(-)CD244(high) cells and elevated NOS2 expression were observed in active TB patients, correlating with reduced T cell activation.
Conclusions:
- The CD3(-)CD244(high) cell population represents a subset of human MDSCs.
- CD244 can potentially serve as a novel marker for identifying human CD3(-)HLA-DR(-)CD11b(int)CD33(+) MDSCs in the context of active TB.
Abstract:
Development of active TB is accompanied by immune suppression and the underlining mechanisms have been explored extensively in recent years. MDSCs are a heterogeneous group of immature and progenitor myeloid cells with strong immunosuppressive ability for both natural and adaptive immunity. In our analysis of CD244 (2B4)-expressing cells in PBMCs from patients with active TB, a CD3(-)CD244(high) subpopulation was identified. A match of cell population in flow cytometry showed that nearly all CD3(-)CD244(high) cells were CD3(-)HLA-DR(-)CD11b(int)CD33(+) cells. The CD3(-)CD244(high) cell population has phenotypes of CD3(-)CD19(-)CD56(-)CD15(-)CD66b(-)CD33(+)CD11b(+)CD14(-)HLA-DR(neg/low), which was consistent with MDSCs in humans as previously reported. Patients with active TB had higher frequencies of CD3(-)CD244(high) cells as compared with healthy controls. The CD3(-)CD244(high) cell population had high levels of NOS2 expression and was negatively correlated with activation and effective molecule production of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. In conclusion, CD3(-)CD244(high) cells had phenotypes of MDSCs and CD244 might be used as a marker for human CD3(-)HLA-DR(-)CD11b(int)CD33(+) MDSCs.
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