RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of follicular helper CD4+ T cells (Tfh) and serum anti-α-1,4-d-polygalacturonic acid (PGA) antibody in the pathogenesis of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP). METHODS: ELISA was performed to determine serum PGA-IgA and PGA-IgG. Flow cytometry was utilized to determine the peripheral CD4+ CXCR5+ and CD4+ CXCR5+ ICOS+ Tfh cells. Real-time PCR was conducted to determine the expression of Bcl-6 gene. Then the change of Tfh cells was analyzed, together with the association with the anti-PGA antibody as well as the roles in the pathogenesis of HSP. RESULTS: Compared with the cases with acute respiratory infection and elective surgery, the proportion of CD4+ CXCR5+ and CD4+ CXCR5+ ICOS+ Tfh cells in the HSP group showed significant elevation (P < 0.001). A significant correlation was noticed between PGA-IgA and CD4+ CXCR5+ Tfh cells (r = 0.380 and P = 0.042) and CD4+ CXCR5+ ICOS+ Tfh cells (r = 0.906 and P < 0.001). The expression of Bcl-6 in the HSP group showed no statistical difference compared with that in the acute respiratory infection and the surgery control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Increased activity of Tfh cells, which is closely related to mucosal immunity, may be a major contributor in the elevation of PGA-IgA, and Tfh cells and PGA-IgA are closely related to the occurrence of HSP.
RESUMO
Objective To analyze the role of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) clones in children with acquired aplastic anemia (AA). Methods The relationship between the existence of PNH clones and clinical features in children with AA was retrospectively analyzed. The influence of PNH clones on the efficacy of combined immunosuppressive therapy (IST) of anti-thymocyte globuline (ATG) and cyclosporine A (CSA) was also observed. In addition, multiple factor analysis was used to analyze the main factors affecting the efficacy of AA. Results One hundred and forty-eight children with AA were enrolled, including 74 cases (50%) of granulocyte PNH clones positive, 68 cases (45.9%) of monocyte PNH clones positive, and 93 cases (62.8%) of total PNH clones (granulocytes and / or monocytes) positive. In 49 children having both granulocytes and monocytes PNH clones, the clone size of monocytes and granulocytes was 0.7% (0.4%-1.5%) and 0.2% (0.1%-0.7%), respectively, and the difference was significant (P<0.001) and there was a significantly positive correlation between them (r=0.65, P<0.001). According to the different PNH positive clones (monocytes, granulocytes, total), children were divide into three groups. And there were no differences in gender, age, concurrent infection, white blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, platelet count, neutrophil absolute count, reticulocyte percentage in different PNH clones positive and negative groups (P>0.05). The group with monocytes PNH clones positive had a positive effect on the efficacy of IST (P=0.02). Multiple factor logistic regression analysis showed that the concentrations of hemoglobin and the positive PNH clones of monocytes were the main factors affecting the efficacy (P<0.05). Conclusions The high concentration of hemoglobin and the positive PNH clones of monocytes contribute the better effect of IST in children with AA.
