SOME FEATURES OF IMMUNE REGULATION IN PATIENTS WITH FIBROUS/CAVERNOUS PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS

Abstract

Abstract. The study dealt with subpopulation analysis of peripheral blood T-regulatory cells (Treg), and in vitro testing of immunosuppressive cytokine (IL-10, TGF-β) production in the patients with fibrous/cavernous pulmonary tuberculosis, depending on results of intracutaneous tuberculin tests (Mantoux test). We have shown that Trn, natural T-regulatory lymphocytes (CD4+CD25+FoxP3+), and TGF-β cytokine, produced by these cells, play a leading role for immune suppression developing in fibrosis-cavernous pulmonary tuberculosis. Moreover, an imbalance of Treg cell subsets has been revealed in patients with fibrous/ cavernous pulmonary tuberculosis, with either positive, or negative Mantoux reaction, as shown by increased content of Treg cells with CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ phenotype, along with higher amounts of CD4+CD25-FoxP3+ subpopulations, and deficiency of CD4+CD25+FoxP3- Treg lymphocytes in blood samples (in cases of positive Mantoux tests). Increased amounts of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg cells in peripheral blood of patients with fibrous/cavernous pulmonary tuberculosis is associated with increase in basal and BCG-induced TGF-β production, and decreased in vitro IL-10 secretory potential. (Med. Immunol., 2011, vol. 13, N 2-3, pp 267-272)

Keywords

• treg lymphocytes
• immunosuppressive cytokines
• tuberculosis.