RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) in type 2 diabetic nephropathy and provide new clues for prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetic nephropathy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Flow cytometry was used to analyze the expression rate of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells in 60 patients with type 2 diabetes and 15 normal subjects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No significant difference was found in the expression rate of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells between the control group and the type 2 diabetic patients. In the type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria, the expression of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells was significantly lowered in comparison with that in the control group (P<0.05), and patients with macroalbuminuria showed significantly lower expression of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells than the microalbuminuric patinets (P<0.05). Significant inverse correlations were noted between the disease course and the expression of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells and between the urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) and the expression of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells may play a role in the occurrence and development of type 2 diabetic nephropathy.</p>