Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of T-helper cell subtypes Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), and whether they are related to anti-cardiolipin antibody (aPL) titers. Peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from healthy donors, and incubated with aPLs. Subsequent to a 48‑h incubation, PBMCs were collected and detected by flow cytometry. The results revealed that aPLs at higher concentrations may induce a significant increase in Th2 and Th17 frequencies, as opposed to a significant decrease in Th1 and Treg frequencies and the Th1/Th2 ratio. These results indicate that there is a Th1/Th2 imbalance, a Th17 upregulation and a Treg downregulation present in APS, and that these factors are positively correlated with aPL titers, suggesting a potential role of Th cells in the pathogenesis of APS.
MeSH terms
-
Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / pharmacology*
-
Cell Differentiation / drug effects
-
Cells, Cultured
-
Flow Cytometry
-
Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
-
Humans
-
Interferon-gamma / metabolism
-
Interleukin-17 / metabolism
-
Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / metabolism
-
Interleukin-4 / metabolism
-
Leukocytes, Mononuclear / cytology
-
Leukocytes, Mononuclear / drug effects*
-
Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology
-
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / cytology*
-
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
-
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
-
Th1 Cells / cytology*
-
Th1 Cells / immunology
-
Th1 Cells / metabolism
-
Th17 Cells / cytology*
-
Th17 Cells / immunology
-
Th17 Cells / metabolism
-
Th2 Cells / cytology*
-
Th2 Cells / immunology
-
Th2 Cells / metabolism
Substances
-
Antibodies, Antiphospholipid
-
FOXP3 protein, human
-
Forkhead Transcription Factors
-
Interleukin-17
-
Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit
-
Interleukin-4
-
Interferon-gamma