ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the levels of Foxp3+ CD+ CD25+ regulatory T cells in the peripheral blood of condyloma acuminatum (CA) patients and investigate their roles in the pathogenesis of CA. Methods The peripheral blood was collected from 30 CA patients (including 15 with relapsing and 15 with first onset) and 20 healthy controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear ceils (PBMC) were isolated and stained with anti-human CD4-PE-Cy5 and anti-human CD25-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) monoclonal antibodies on cell membrane, followed by intraeellular staining with anti-human Foxp3-PE. The percentage of Foxp3+ CD4+-CD25+ regulatory T cells was detected by three-color flow cytometry. Comparison between groups was done by ANOVA test. Results The percentages of Foxp3+ CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells among total CD4 + T cells in CA patients and relapsing CA group were (3.4 ± 1.0) % and (4.7 ±+ 1.2) %, respectively, which were both significantly higher than that in healthy control group [(1.2±0. 5)%, P<0.01]. Furthermore, that in first onset CA group was (2. 1 ± 1.0) %, which was higher than that in healthy control group, but without statistical significance; but that in relapsing CA group was significantly higher than that in first onset group (P<0.05). Conclusions The number of Foxp3+ CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells increases in the peripheral blood of CA patients. The disorder of cellular immunity may be involved in the immunopathogenesis of CA.