The proportion and phenotypic changes of CD4+CD25−Foxp3+ T cells in patients with untreated rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Highlights The proportion of CD4+CD25−Foxp3+ T cells was elevated in untreated RA. CD4+CD25−Foxp3+ T cells expressed decreased Helios compared with Treg cells in both RA patients and HCs. CD4+CD25−Foxp3+ T cells produced increased IFN-γ compared with Tregs in RA patients. Elevated CD4+CD25−Foxp3+ T cells were positively correlated with DAS28 score, anti-IgG titer and anti-CCP titer.

Keywords

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• CD4+CD25−Foxp3+ T cells
• CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells
• Disease activity
• Phenotypic