OBJECTIVE: To evaluate soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha chain (sIL-2Rα, sCD25) in serum for the determination of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity. METHODS: Peripheral blood was collected from 108 patients with RA, 39 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and 50 healthy control subjects, and synovial fluids were from 40 patients with RA. The sera from the patients with RA, the disease control group (osteoarthritis), the healthy control group, and the synovial fluids of the RA patients were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The clinical manifestations and laboratory parameters of the patients with RA were recorded and the correlation with the serum sCD25 level was analyzed. RESULTS: The serum sCD25 concentration in RA group was (2 886±1 333) ng/L, the serum sCD25 concentration in OA group was (2 090±718) ng/L, and the serum sCD25 concentration in healthy group was (1 768±753) ng/L. The serum sCD25 level in the patients with RA was significantly higher than that in the disease controls and healthy controls (P<0.001). Sensitivity of serum sCD25 in the diagnosis of RA was 66.1% and specificity was 83.0%;serum sCD25 levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r=0.321, P=0.001), C-reactive protein (r=0.446, P<0.001), DAS28 score (r=0.324, P<0.001), joint tenderness count (r=0.203, P=0.024), D-dimer levels (r=0.383, P<0.001), age (r=0.24, P=0.007), IgG (r=0.207, P=0.028), HRF-IgG (r=0.345, P=0.034) showed a significant positive correlation, and disease duration (r=-0.206, P=0.021) showed a negative correlation with sCD25;In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the positive rates of serum ESR, CRP, and sCD25 were 14.3% (2 cases), 14.3% (2 cases), and 71.4% (10 cases) in the low disease activity group. The positive rates of serum ESR, CRP and sCD25 in the moderate disease activity group were 94.2% (49 cases), 82.7% (43 cases), and 86.5% (45 cases). The positive rates of serum ESR, CRP, and sCD25 in the high disease activity group were 100% (42 cases), 95.2% (40 cases), and 90.5% (38 cases);36 cases of ESR and/or CRP were negative (about 33.3%) in 108 patients, serum sCD5 levels of 17 cases in these 36 cases (about 47.2%)increased, of which 14 cases (about 82.4%) had a DAS28 score higher than 3.2. CONCLUSION The serum sCD25 has a high specificity for diagnosis of RA and a poor sensitivity. The serum level is closely related to the activity of RA, indicating that sCD25 may be involved in the inflammatory process of RA and may become a new inflammatory marker of RA. It is more meaningful for detection of serum sCD25 when RA is active, but ESR and/or CRP is negative.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/pathology* ; Biomarkers/analysis* ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit/analysis* ; Osteoarthritis ; Synovial Fluid/chemistry*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression levels and clinical significance of serum high mobility group box 1 (HMGB-1) in patients with secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH).

METHODSSerum HMGB-1 levels were determined by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in 51 sHLH patients and 15 healthy contrlols. Other laboratory data, including soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sCD25), white blood cells (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), platelet (Plt), fibrinogen (FIB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), triglyceride (TG), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum ferritin (SF), C reactive protein (CRP), and blood sedimentation rate (ESR) were also collected.

RESULTSSerum HMGB-1 levels in the newly diagnosed group were significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). Serum HMGB-1 levels in the newly diagnosed lymphoma-associated HLH (LHLH) group were significantly higher than that in non-HLH group, including infection-associated HLH (IHLH) and autoimmune-associated HLH (AHLH) group (P<0.05); The serum HMGB-1 levels in the clinical remission group were significantly lower than that in the newly diagnosed group (P<0.05), however, serum HMGB-1 was not decreased significantly in the progression/relapsed group, compared with the newly diagnosed group (P>0.05). Serum HMGB-1 levels in newly diagnosed sHLH patients positively correlated with sCD25 (r=0.62, P<0.01) and ESR (r=0.55, P<0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) for serum HMGB-1 levels of sHLH patients and healthy controls produced a cutoff value at 15.3 µg/L, with its 90% sensitivity and 99% specificity, respectively. In addition, an optimal cutoff value for HMGB-1 was 27.4 µg/L in the patients LHLH and non-HLH (AHLH+IHLH) with 96% sensitivity and 81% specificity, separately.

CONCLUSIONSerum HMGB-1 levels possesses an important clinically significance for disease diagnosis, differential diagnosis, evaluation of nosographic activity and treatment efficacy in the patients with sHLH.

C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Case-Control Studies ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fibrinogen ; analysis ; HMGB1 Protein ; blood ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit ; blood ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; blood ; Leukocytes ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic ; blood ; Lymphoma ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Treatment Outcome

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit ; Sequence Analysis

OBJECTIVETo study the roles of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Treg) and IL-33 in the pathogenesis of asthma in children.

METHODSFlow cytometry was used to detect peripheral blood CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+)Treg proportion in CD4(+)T lymphocytes in.45 children with asthma, 50 children with wheezing caused by respiratory syncytial virus infection and 40 healthy children. Serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-33 were measured using ELISA.

RESULTSThe level of peripheral blood CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+)Treg in the asthma group was significantly lower than in the wheezing and control groups (P<0.05). In contrast, serum levels of IL-33 in the asthma group was significantly higher than in the wheezing and control groups (P<0.05). Peripheral blood CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+)Treg level was negatively correlated with serum IL-33 level in the asthma group(r=-0.156, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSCD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+)Treg may interact with IL-33 in the pathogenesis of childhood asthma.

Asthma ; etiology ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; analysis ; Humans ; Infant ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit ; immunology ; Interleukin-33 ; Interleukins ; physiology ; Male ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the levels of CD4+CD25+CD127- and CD3+CD4-CD8- regulatory T (Treg) cells in peripheral blood of children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

METHODSThe flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of CD4+CD25+CD127- and CD3+CD4-CD8- Treg cells in peripheral blood of 33 children with ITP and 21 healthy children.

RESULTSThe expression levels of CD4+CD25+CD127-［(2.7±1.7)% vs (4.8±1.6)%; P<0.01］and CD3+CD4-CD8-［(5.2±3.1)% vs (8.1±3.5)%; P<0.01］Treg cells in children with ITP were significantly lower than in the controls.

CONCLUSIONSThe expression levels of CD4+CD25+CD127- and CD3+CD4-CD8- Treg cells decrease in children with ITP, suggesting that CD4+CD25+CD127- and CD3+CD4-CD8- Treg cells might play a role in the pathogenesis of ITP.

Adolescent ; CD3 Complex ; analysis ; CD4 Antigens ; analysis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Infant ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit ; analysis ; Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit ; analysis ; Male ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; etiology ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology

BACKGROUNDRegulatory T cells (T(reg)) have been shown to play an important role in the regulation of hematopoietic activity. However, there is no information about the effect of T(reg) cells in the pathogenesis of polycythaemia vera (PV).

METHODSIn this study, we investigated the percentage and function of T(reg) cells in the peripheral blood of 21 PV patients and 25 healthy donors. T(reg) cells were identified and characterized as CD4+CD25+ FOXP3+ by flow cytometry. The suppressive activity of CD4+CD25+ T(reg) cells was assessed by the proliferation and cytokine secretion of the co-cultured CD4+CD25- fractions.

RESULTSThe results showed that the percentage of T(reg) cells in the peripheral blood of PV patients significantly increased compared to healthy controls ((10.93 +/- 4.02)% vs (5.86 +/- 1.99)%, P < 0.05). Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression of FOXP3 was higher in CD4+CD25+ T(reg) cells. Coordinately, when co-cultured with the activated CD4+CD25- cells, the CD4+CD25+ T(reg) cells showed enhanced suppressive function in PV. Yet, the underlying mechanism for the increased frequency and function of CD4+CD25+ T(reg) cells is still to be clarified.

CONCLUSIONT(reg) cells expansion might account for the abnormal T cell immunity in PV patients and thus contribute to the pathogenesis of PV.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit ; analysis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polycythemia Vera ; etiology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; physiology ; T-Lymphocytopenia, Idiopathic CD4-Positive ; physiopathology

The study investigated the effects of red clover extract (RCE) on mouse T macrophages and lymphocytes in vitro. The cell toxic effect of RCE was estimated by MTT assay. Multiple-fluorescence staining plus flow cytometry were used to detect the effect of RCE on CD69/CD25/CD71 expression of mouse T lymphocytes stimulated by Con A; CFDA-SE staining plus flow cytometry were used to analyze the effect of RCE on proliferation of T lymphocytes activated by Con A; The effect of RCE on nitric oxide (NO) secretion of mouse macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h was assayed by Griess reagent system. We found that RCE had potent anti-inflammatory effects on mice. RCE had little cell toxic effect on mouse lymphocytes and macrophages. RCE strongly inhibited the excessive production of inflammatory mediators (NO, CD69, CD25, CD71), in a dose-dependent manner, like cyclosporine A injection. RCE could inhibit proliferation of CD3+ T lymphocytes. These data suggested that RCE might exhibit anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the activation and proliferation of mouse lymphocytes and the NO secretion of mouse macrophages.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte ; metabolism ; CD3 Complex ; analysis ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Lectins, C-Type ; Lymphocyte Activation ; drug effects ; Macrophages ; cytology ; secretion ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Nitric Oxide ; secretion ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Receptors, Transferrin ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Trifolium ; chemistry

The study was purposed to investigate the effects of humanized recombined CD25 monoclonal antibody (rhCD25MAb) on activation and proliferation of T lymphocytes in vitro. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) were incubated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Before or after T cell activation, the cells were cultured with or without rhCD25MAb or cyclosporine A (CsA) in vitro. After 72 hours incubation, the proliferation of lymphocytes was analyzed by MTT assay. The expression of CD3 and CD25 antigens on T lymphocytes were detected by flow cytometry. The levels of sIL-2R in the supernatants were determined with ELISA. The results showed that both rhCD25MAb and CsA could inhibit the proliferation of T lymphocytes significantly in concentration-dependent manner and CsA was more efficient than rhCD25MAb. Both rhCD25MAb and CsA could also decrease the levels of sIL-2R in the supernatant and inhibit the expression of CD25 antigen on T lymphocytes. The level of sIL-2R and the expression of CD25 on T lymphocytes decreases more profoundly in rhCD25MAb group. It is concluded that rhCD25MAb shows strong immunosuppressive activity both before and after T cell activation, suggesting that this agent may be useful in not only prophylaxis but also the treatment of acute graft-versus-host disease.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacology ; CD3 Complex ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclosporine ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Lymphocyte Activation ; immunology ; Receptors, Interleukin-2 ; analysis ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology ; pharmacology ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology

As a functionally and phenotypically distinctive T cell subpopulation, CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells are anergic and retain their ability to suppress antigen-driven response of CD4+CD25- cells in a contact-dependent manner or through a way of secreting immunosuppressive cytokines such as IL-10 and TGF-beta. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is one of the major complications following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Recently, some researches on the relationship between donor CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and GVHD severity produced two contradictory conclusions: one is CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells that can prevent GVHD efficiently; the other is that GVHD is associated with the increased numbers of peripheral blood CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. The answer to this question will provide a new idea for clinic therapy of GVHD. In this review some new research progresses in the related area, such as the CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells, the phenotype, characteristics, immunoregulatory mechanisms of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells, as well as the relation of CD4+CD25+ with GVHD were presented.
CD4 Antigens ; analysis ; Graft vs Host Disease ; etiology ; immunology ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit ; analysis ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; cytology ; immunology ; metabolism

This study was aimed to analyze the proportion of T cell subsets, CD4(+) CD25(high) regulating T cells (Tr) in peripheral blood of B-NHL patients and their change regularity, and to investigate the immunosuppression mechanism and influence of chemotherapy on immunosuppression function of B-NHL patients. The peripheral blood was collected from 42 patients with B-NHL, 36 patients with B-NHL who achieved partial remission (PR) or complete remission (CR) after 4 - 6 cycles of chemotherapy and 15 healthy controls. By using monoclonal antibodies, the blood samples were evaluated with the flow cytometry for lymphocyte subsets and Tr cells. The results showed that the proportion of CD3(+) and CD4(+) T cells, and the ratio of CD4/CD8 in patients with B-NHL group was significantly less than those in the healthy controls, i.e. (68.33 +/- 15.27)% versus (72.06 +/- 9.26)%; (34.47 +/- 12.84)% versus (42.45 +/- 9.2)%; 1.36 +/- 0.26 versus 1.92 +/- 0.20, but the prevalence of the CD4(+) CD25(high) Tr cells was significantly higher than those in the healthy group [(4.10 +/- 1.21)% versus (2.04 +/- 1.03)%, P < 0.001]. The ratio of CD4/CD8 in chemotherapy group was lower than that in control, but the proportion of CD4(+) CD25(high) Treg cells in chemotherapy group was higher than those before chemo-/radio-therapy and the control. It is concluded that the relative increase of CD4(+) CD25(high) Tr cells in peripheral blood of B-NHL patients may be related to immunosuppression and tumor progression.
Adolescent ; Adult ; CD4 Antigens ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Immune Tolerance ; immunology ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit ; analysis ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; blood ; immunology ; Male ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology