Imbalance between subpopulations of regulatory T cells in COPD

Background Recent evidence indicates that human regulatory T cells (Tregs) are composed of three distinct subpopulations: CD25++ CD45RA+ resting Tregs (rTregs), CD25+++ CD45RA− activated Tregs (aTregs), which are suppressive, and CD25++ CD45RA− cytokine-secreting (Fr III) cells with pro-inflammatory...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Thorax 2013-12, Vol.68 (12), p.1131-1139
Main Authors: Hou, Jia, Sun, Yongchang, Hao, Yu, Zhuo, Jie, Liu, Xiaofang, Bai, Peng, Han, Junyan, Zheng, Xiwei, Zeng, Hui
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptive immunity
Aged
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid - cytology
Bronchoscopy
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
COPD AU Mechanisms
Diabetes
Female
Forced Expiratory Volume
Homeostasis
Humans
Inflammation
Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit - analysis
Leukocyte Common Antigens - analysis
Lung diseases
Lymphocyte Activation
Lymphocyte Biology
Lymphocyte Count
Lymphocytes
Male
Middle Aged
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - immunology
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - physiopathology
Severity of Illness Index
Smoking
Smoking - immunology
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - chemistry
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - immunology
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Summary:Background Recent evidence indicates that human regulatory T cells (Tregs) are composed of three distinct subpopulations: CD25++ CD45RA+ resting Tregs (rTregs), CD25+++ CD45RA− activated Tregs (aTregs), which are suppressive, and CD25++ CD45RA− cytokine-secreting (Fr III) cells with pro-inflammatory capacity. Objectives To evaluate the dynamic changes in circulating and pulmonary Treg subpopulations in smokers and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to explore their potential roles in COPD pathogenesis. Methods Blood samples were obtained from 57 never-smokers, 32 smokers with normal lung function and 66 patients with COPD. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples were taken from 12 never-smokers, 12 smokers and 18 patients with COPD. The proportions of Treg subpopulations and activated CD8 T cells were evaluated using flow cytometry. Results In peripheral blood, increased proportions of rTregs, aTregs and Fr III cells were found in smokers compared with never-smokers, whereas patients with COPD showed decreased rTregs and aTregs, and significantly increased Fr III cells compared with smokers. The changes in Treg subpopulations, with an overall decrease in the (aTreg+rTreg):(Fr III) ratio, indicated that immune homeostasis favoured inflammation and correlated with enhanced CD8 T-cell activation (r=−0.399, p
ISSN:0040-6376
1468-3296
DOI:10.1136/thoraxjnl-2012-201956