BackgroundTakayasu’s arteritis (TA) is a type of primary large vessel vasculitis. Th1, Th17, and Tfh cells have been reported to be associated with TA relapse. However, the relationship between regulatory T cells (Tregs) and TA remains unclear.ObjectiveTo analyze the levels of circulating lymphocytes, especially Treg cells (CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T cells) and serum cytokines in TA patients and explore their relationship with their changes and TA disease activity.MethodsA total of 57 TA patients and 43 sex- and age-matched healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. According to NIH standards, 36 patients had active disease status. Flow cytometry combined with counting was used to detect the absolute numbers and ratios of Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cells in the peripheral blood of all the subjects. Magnetic bead-based multiplex immunoassay was used to detect cytokines.ResultsCompared to HCs, the absolute number and proportion of peripheral Treg cells in TA patients was significantly decreased, while Th17 cells were significantly increased. Furthermore, compared to the inactive group, the TA active group had significantly increased levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, but lower IL-10 levels. The absolute number of Th2 cells was negatively associated with platelet (PLT) and NIS scores in TA patients. The proportion of Th2 cells was negatively associated with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate in TA patients. After treatment, Treg cells were markedly increased.ConclusionThere was a Th17-Treg cell imbalance with a significant reduction in peripheral Treg cells and an increase in Th17 cells in TA patients compared to the HCs. The levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, and TNF-α appeared to be related to disease activity.

BackgroundThis study aimed to analyze the T-cell subset distribution in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and determine whether vincristine-cyclophosphamide combination therapy can positively affect their T-cell subset distribution to keep the disease in remission.Material/MethodsThirteen SLE patients with ‘low activity’ (SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI)≤9), 17 SLE patients with ‘high activity’ (SLEDAI>9), and 15 healthy controls were recruited. SLE patients were treated with vincristine-cyclophosphamide combination therapy. CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T-cell percentages were analyzed by flow cytometry at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12–24 months, and >24 months.ResultsSignificantly negative correlations were observed between the CD3+ and CD4+ T-cell percentages and SLEDAI scores at baseline (r=−0.471, P=0.015; r=−0.473, P=0.015, respectively). A significantly positive correlation was observed between CD4+ T-cell percentage and the complement component C3 at baseline (r=0.612, P=0.002). After 3 months of combination therapy, the CD3+ and CD4+ T-cell percentages were significantly higher than the high activity baseline (P<0.01, P<0.05, respectively). After 6 months, the CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T-cell percentages were all significantly higher than the high activity baseline (P<0.01, P<0.05, P<0.05, respectively).ConclusionsT-cell subset distributions vary across different levels of SLE disease activity with higher CD3+ T-cell and CD4+ Th cell percentages favoring lower SLE activity. As CD3+ T-cell and CD4+ Th cell percentages negatively correlate with SLEDAI, vincristine-cyclophosphamide combination therapy appears to positively affect the T-cell subset distribution in SLE patients to keep the disease in remission by increasing their CD3+ T-cell and CD4+ Th cell percentages.

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