Effects of short-term treatment of dexamethasone on balance of natural regulatory and type Ⅰ regulatory T cells / 中国免疫学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the impact of dexamethasone on the balance of natural regulatory T cells(nTreg) and typeⅠ regulatory T cell(Tr1) in vitro.Methods:Peripheral blood lymphocytes(PBMCs) recruited from healthy donor,divided into dexam-ethasone stimulus group and negative control group.After 3 days treatment,cells were stained.The expression of CD25,CD127, Lymphocyte-activation 3 (LAG-3) and Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) and frequency of Treg and Tr1 were analyzed by flow cytometry.Results:Compared to the control group,after stimulation with dexamethasone for 3 days,the percentage of CD4+T cells increased in a dose-dependent manner.The expression of CD25 and Foxp3 in CD4+T cells decreased significantly (P=0.006, P<0.000 1),while CD127 and LAG-3 expression increased significantly in CD4+T cells (P<0.000 1,P=0.011).Dexamethasone treatment significantly enhance the frequency of Tr1(P=0.051),reduce the frequency of Treg (P<0.001),and the ratio of Tr1/Treg also increased(P=0.044).Conclusion:Short-term treatment with dexamethasone in vitro change the balance of natural regulatory and type Ⅰ regulatory T cells.