The frequency of Tim-3 on circulating Tfh cells was increased in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic, low-grade inflammation disease. T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (Tim-3) are implicated in many immune diseases. This study aims to explore whether Tim-3 expression on Tfh cells is associated with T2DM progression. White blood cells (WBCs) were harvested from 30 patients with T2DM and 20 healthy donors. The abundance of circulating Tfh cells (cTfh) and the frequency of Tim-3 were analyzed by flow cytometry. Levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), and fasting plasma C-peptide were measured. Body mass index (BMI) and diabetes duration were also recorded. Patients with T2DM had higher numbers of cTfh cells. In addition, cTfh cells showed a negative correlation with HbA1C and diabetes duration, a positive correlation with fasting plasma C-peptide. The frequency of Tim-3 on cTfh cells was higher among T2DM patients compared with healthy donors. The in vitro experiment showed that high glucose levels increased the abundance cTfh cells but had no effect on Tim-3 expression. Our results suggest that cTfh cells and associated Tim-3 frequency may contribute to the progression of T2DM, and high glucose levels may influence cTfh cells directly.

Bariatric Surgery Induces Alterations in the Immune Profile of Peripheral Blood T Cells

“…Follicular T cells play an important role in the maintenance and differentiation of B cells [44]. Guo and collaborators previously reported that people with T2D display higher percentages of Tfh cells in circulation, in agreement with our study.…”

“…In fact, the authors attributed the difference in the expression of TIM-3 to a transient upregulation of plasma glucose levels during the early stages of T2D, with a restoration of the T cells function in long-term T2D. Moreover, an increase in TIM-3 has also been previously described in Tfh cells [44].…”

“…Guo and collaborators previously reported that people with T2D display higher percentages of Tfh cells in circulation, in agreement with our study. It is important to mention that the research conducted by Guo and collaborators (2020) was performed in people without obesity (BMI of 25.90 ±.99) [44]. Regardless of obesity, T2D can induce alterations in the percentage of Tfh cells.…”