CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
Correlation of interleukin 6 and transforming growth factor β1 with peripheral blood regulatory T cells in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a potential biomarker
Submission date: 2017-02-01
Final revision date: 2017-06-17
Acceptance date: 2017-08-21
Publication date: 2018-10-30
Cent Eur J Immunol 2018;43(3):281-288
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Proinflammatory cytokines and regulatory T cells (Tregs) are considered as important factors involved in autoimmunity development especially in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Aim of the study:
To investigate the frequency of peripheral blood Tregs and related cytokines in RA patients and to determine the possible correlation between Treg percentage and interleukin 6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) as indicators in assessment of Treg function and mechanisms preceding autoimmunity in RA.
Material and methods:
Thirty-seven Iranian RA patients with a moderate (3.2-5.1) disease activity score (DAS) and the same number of healthy age- and sex-matched individuals were enrolled. Frequency of peripheral blood Tregs (CD4+FoxP3+CD25high) was determined by flow cytometry. Serum levels of IL-6 and TGF-β1 and their expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were evaluated by ELISA and Q-PCR, respectively.
Results:
Rheumatoid arthritis patients showed significantly lower peripheral blood Treg frequencies compared to healthy individuals. Additionally, Treg (%) showed a significant inverse correlation between serum concentrations of IL-6 and mRNA expression of PBMCs, whereas there was no significant correlation between Treg (%) and TGF-β1 levels.
Proinflammatory cytokines and regulatory T cells (Tregs) are considered as important factors involved in autoimmunity development especially in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Aim of the study:
To investigate the frequency of peripheral blood Tregs and related cytokines in RA patients and to determine the possible correlation between Treg percentage and interleukin 6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) as indicators in assessment of Treg function and mechanisms preceding autoimmunity in RA.
Material and methods:
Thirty-seven Iranian RA patients with a moderate (3.2-5.1) disease activity score (DAS) and the same number of healthy age- and sex-matched individuals were enrolled. Frequency of peripheral blood Tregs (CD4+FoxP3+CD25high) was determined by flow cytometry. Serum levels of IL-6 and TGF-β1 and their expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were evaluated by ELISA and Q-PCR, respectively.
Results:
Rheumatoid arthritis patients showed significantly lower peripheral blood Treg frequencies compared to healthy individuals. Additionally, Treg (%) showed a significant inverse correlation between serum concentrations of IL-6 and mRNA expression of PBMCs, whereas there was no significant correlation between Treg (%) and TGF-β1 levels.
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