First report of expansion of CD4+/CD28 null T-helper lymphocytes in adult patients with idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia

ABSTRACT CD28 null T helper (Th) cells are rare in healthy individuals, but they are increased in various inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases. In this study, we determined the size of the CD4+/CD28 null T lymphocyte compartment in the peripheral blood of 40 autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) patients (idiopathic and secondary) and 20 healthy control subjects, using tri-color flow cytometry. The frequency and absolute count of CD4+/CD28 null T helper (Th) cells was significantly higher in idiopathic AIHA patients, compared to healthy controls (p = 0.001 and 0.001, respectively) and to patients with secondary AIHA (p = 0.04 and 0.01, respectively). The percentage of CD4+/CD28 null Th cells was also negatively correlated to the hemoglobin (Hb) level (p = 0.03). These findings demonstrate, for the first time, the expansion of this phenotypically-defined population of T lymphocytes in patients with idiopathic AIHA and indicate that it likely plays an etiological role in the development of this disease. However, establishing the use of this marker for diagnosis or monitoring treatment of such patients needs further studies.

Research progress of the related cytokines of Th1 and Th2 on glaucoma / 中华实验眼科杂志

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness,which includes visual field defects and chronic degenerative diseases of the optic nerve,such as apoptosis of the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and progressive loss of optic nerve axons.Elevated intraocular pressure is the primary risk factor for glaucoma,and lowering intraocular pressure is the first choice of treatment for slowing the development of glaucoma.It has recently been found that immunological factors are one of the non-stress-dependent risk factors for optic nerve damage in glaucoma,while most of the immune and non-immune biological effects are regulated by cytokines.CD4+ helper T cells are the major sources of cytokines.Thl and Th2-related cytokines play an essential role in the pathogenesis of glaucoma and related with the survival and apoptosis of RGCs.In this review,we discussed the potential relationship between Th1/Th2-related cytokines and glaucoma.