Regulatory T Cells and Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Patients with Peptic Ulcer and Gastric Cancer

Abstract

Background: Regulatory T Cells (Tregs) and Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSCs) are two main regulatory cells modulating the immune responses in inflammation and cancer. Objective: To investigate and compare Tregs and MDSCs in peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. Methods: Patients with dyspepsia were selected and divided into three groups of non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD, n=22), peptic ulcer disease (PUD, n=25), and gastric cancer (GC, n=27) according to their endoscopic and histopathological examinations. Helicobacter pylori infection was diagnosed by rapid urease test and histopathology. The number of peripheral blood CD4+CD25+FoxP3+Tregs and CD14+HLA-DR- MDSCs were determined in all patients, by flow cytometry. The number of FoxP3+ regulatory T cells was also determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: The percentage of peripheral blood Treg cells in both PUD )0.81 ± 0.39, p Conclusions: Both Tregs and MDSCs showed higher frequencies in PUD and GC. These results suggest that immune-modulation by the Tregs and MDSCs may play a role in the pathogenesis of PUD and GC.

Keywords

• Gastric Cancer
• Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell
• peptic ulcer
• Regulatory T cells