Significance Of The Alteration Of Cd4~+ Cd25~+ Foxp3~+ Treg In Peripheral Blood Of Patients With Graves Disease

BackgroundGraves disease(GD)is one of organ-specific autoimmune diseases. It is characterized by diffuse goiter and thyrotoxicosis and may be accompanied by an infiltrative orbitopathy and ophthalmopathy, and occasionally infiltrative dermopathy. The thyroid gland of patients with GD is characterized by a nonhomogeneous lymphocytic infiltration with an absence of follicular destruction. Although the intrathyroidal lymphocyte population is mixed, most are T lymphocytes, moreover, both intraepithelial T cells and plasma cells can be seen in peripolesis within the thyroid follicles. Now the pathogenesis of GD is uncertain, on the one hand there are many thyroid autoantibodies especially anti–TSH receptor antibodies that bind to and activate the TSH receptor, promoting thyroid hormone secretion and growth of the thyroid gland; on the other hand T cell–mediated autoimmunity can also impairs thyroid tissue. In recent years, we found a specialized subpopulation of T cells that act to suppress activation of the immune system and thereby maintain immune system homeostasis and tolerance to self-antigens. It is called the regulatory T cel(lTreg)and characterized by express Transcription factor forkhead box p3(Foxp3). The Foxp3~+Treg is play a important role in autoimmune diseases. ObjectiveTo investigate the alteration and its significance of CD4~+CD25~+Foxp3~+Treg in patients with Graves disease.MethodTaking the peripheral blood from the GD patients and age-matched health people. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were prepared by Percoll density gradient. PBMCs were surface and intracellular stained in vitro. Finally, stained cells were analyzed by flow cytometry.ResultsIn GD group: The ratio of CD4~+CD25~+Foxp3~+Treg to CD4~+T cell in peripheral blood were found to be significantly lower than healthy control group(P<0.05); the ratio of CD4~+CD25~+Foxp3~+Treg to CD4~+CD25~+Treg in peripheral blood were also found to be significantly lower than healthy control group(P<0.05).ConclusionThe frequencies of CD4~+CD25~+Foxp3~+Treg decreased in patients with GD may suggest a potential role for CD4~+CD25~+Foxp3~+Treg in the progression and happen of GD.