Phenotypic and functional characteristics of T cells in tuberculosis pleurisy / 中国免疫学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To elucidate the phenotypic and functional characteristics of CD3+ CD4+ and CD3+ CD8+ T in pleural fluid of patients with tuberculous pleurisy.Methods:PBMCs and PFCs were isolated. The frequency of CD3+,CD3+ CD4+,CD3+ CD8+ T cells and the ratio of CD4/CD8 in PFCs were analyzed by FACS. The concentration of IFN-?,IL-2 and TNF-? in the pleural fluid were analyzed by ELISA.Production of IFN-?,IL-2 and TNF-? by CD3+ CD4+ and CD3+ CD8+ T cells was detected by FACS following stimulation with BCG.Results:Higher frequencies of CD3+ CD4+ T cells and CD4+ T/CD8+ T ratio were demonstrated in PFCs when compared with PBMCs from normal donors and TB patients.ELISA analysis demonstrated that significantly high levels of IFN-? and TNF-? were detected in pleural fluid.Further analysis by FACS indicated that IL-2,TNF-? and IFN-? were predominantly secreted by CD3+CD4+T cells but not by CD3+ CD8+ T cells.Conclusion:The frequencies of CD3+ and CD3+ CD4+ T cells are increased in PFCs. Large amounts of Th1 cytokines are detected,which are produced by CD3+ CD4+ T cells,and might play important roles against TB infection.