Expression of regulatory T cells and helper T cells in human IgA nephropathy and its significance / 中华肾脏病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effects of CD4+CD25high regulatory T cells(Treg)and the imbalance of helper T lymphocyte subsets(Th1/Th2)on the immunological mechanism of IgA nephropathy(IgAN)patients. Methods The percentage of Treg and helper T cells subpopulation (Th1/Th2)in the peripheral blood of IgAN patients and healthy controls was examined by flow cytometry.The FOXP3 expression was detected through intracellular staining.The correlation of Treg or Th1/Th2 with clinical parameters of IgAN was analyzed by Spearman or Pearson rank correlation test. Results The percentages of Treg and Th2 cells were significantly higher in peripheral blood of IgAN patients compared to that of healthy controls[Treg (2.14±0.82)%vs[1.59±0.53)%,Th2(2.57±0.72)%vs(1.81±1.10)%,all P＜0.05].Th1/Th2 ratio was significantly reduced in IgAN patients(5.75±1.89 vs 12.73±9.79,P＜0.05).The percentage of circulating Treg cells was positively correlated with serunl IgA concentration(r=0.397,P＜0.05),and was negatively correlated with eGFR(r=-0.376,P＜0.05).The percentage of circulating Th2 cells was positively correlated with serum IgA(r=0.468,P＜0.05). Conclusions There is a disorder of T lymphocyte population in the peripheral blood of IgAN patients.The increased Treg and Th2 cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of IgAN.