scholarly journals Function of regulatory T-cells improved by dexamethasone in Graves' disease

2012 ◽  
Vol 166 (4) ◽  
pp. 641-646 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Hu ◽  
Wei Tian ◽  
Ling-Ling Zhang ◽  
Hao Liu ◽  
Guo-Ping Yin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Treg Cell ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Th2 Cells ◽  
Graves Disease ◽  
Treg Cell Function

ObjectiveIntrathyroid injection of dexamethasone (DEX) has been used to treat Graves' disease (GD); however, the mechanism of this treatment remains poorly understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of DEX on the function of regulatory T (Treg) cells (CD4+CD25+T cells) in patients with GD.MethodsPeripheral blood was obtained from 20 patients with GD, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated by Ficoll–Hypaque density gradient separation. CD4+CD25–/CD4+CD25+T cells were isolated by immunomagnetic selection and DEX was co-cultured with PBMCs or isolated T-cells for 72 h. Treg cell function was analyzed using the proliferation rate of CD4+CD25–T cells.ResultsThe proportion of Treg cells and the transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) mRNA expression in PBMCs decreased in GD patients compared with healthy subjects, and Treg cell function was impaired in patients with GD. Although the proportion of Treg cells and FOXP3 mRNA expression in PBMCs did not increase, the function of Treg cells improved after the treatment with DEX. Moreover, the proportion of T-helper 2 (Th2) cells was decreased by the DEX treatment.ConclusionsDEX could effectively improve the function of Treg cells and set up a new balance of Th1/Th2 in GD patients. This study might help to further understand the immune mechanism of the intrathyroid injection of DEX in the treatment of GD and facilitate the potential use of this therapy.

scholarly journals TRAF3 regulates the effector function of regulatory T cells and humoral immune responses

2013 ◽  
Vol 211 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae-Hoon Chang ◽  
Hongbo Hu ◽  
Jin Jin ◽  
Nahum Puebla-Osorio ◽  
Yichuan Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Regulatory T Cells ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Treg Cell ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Effector Memory ◽  
Humoral Immune ◽  
Treg Cell Function

Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) control different aspects of immune responses, but how the effector functions of Treg cells are regulated is incompletely understood. Here we identified TNF receptor–associated factor 3 (TRAF3) as a regulator of Treg cell function. Treg cell–specific ablation of TRAF3 impaired CD4 T cell homeostasis, characterized by an increase in the Th1 type of effector/memory T cells. Moreover, the ablation of TRAF3 in Treg cells resulted in increased antigen-stimulated activation of follicular T helper cells (TFH cells), coupled with heightened formation of germinal centers and production of high-affinity IgG antibodies. Although the loss of TRAF3 did not reduce the overall frequency of Treg cells, it attenuated the antigen-stimulated production of follicular Treg cells (TFR cells). TRAF3 signaling in Treg cells was required to maintain high level expression of inducible co-stimulator (ICOS), which in turn was required for TFR cell generation and inhibition of antibody responses. These findings establish TRAF3 as a mediator of Treg cell function in the regulation of antibody responses and suggest a role for TRAF3 in mediating ICOS expression in Treg cells.

scholarly journals The Therapeutic Strategies of Regulatory T Cells in Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantations

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rana G. Zaini ◽  
Amani A. Al-Rehaili
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Regulatory T Cells ◽  
Stem Cell Transplantation ◽  
Cell Transplantation ◽  
Treg Cell ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Treg Cell Function

Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) are considered one of the main dynamic cell types within the immune system. Because Treg cells suppress immune responses, they have potential roles in immunological self-tolerance and may help to maintain immune homeostasis. Promoting Treg cell function and increasing their numbers might be useful in treating autoimmune disorders, as well as preventing allograft rejection. However, studies of mice and humans demonstrate that Treg cells promote cancer progression and suppress antitumor immunity. Therefore, suppressing Treg cell function or reducing their numbers could support the immune system’s response to pathogenic microorganisms and tumors. As a result, there is great interest in investigating the Treg cells role in the treatment of hematological and nonhematological malignancies. Consequently, Treg cells could be a fundamentally important target for pathologies of the immune system. Targeting effector Treg cells could help to distinguish and selectively decrease these cells while preserving other Treg cells needed to suppress autoimmunity. Currently, a promising way to treat malignancies and other autoimmune disorders is stem cell transplantation. Stem cell transplants (SCT) can help to manage the production of Treg cells and also may produce more efficient Treg cells, thereby suppressing clinical disease progression. Specifically, mature T cells within the engrafted stem cells mediate this SCT beneficial effect. During SCT, the recipient’s immune system is replaced with a donor, which allows for improved immune system function. In addition, SCT can protect from disease relapse, as graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in transplant patients can be protective against cancer recurrence. The current review will define the role of regulatory T cells in treatment of malignancy. Additionally, it will summarize current promising research regarding the utility of regulatory T cells in stem cell transplantation.

Dysfunctional T Regulatory Cells in Myeloma: Molecular Mechanisms of Dysregulation.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 3462-3462
Author(s):  
Rao H. Prabhala ◽  
Paola Neri ◽  
Pierfrancesco Tassone ◽  
Jooeun E. Bae ◽  
Masood A. Shammas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Treg Cell ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
T Cell Responses ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Cell Responses ◽  
Treg Cell Function

Abstract Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by production of monoclonal immunoglobulin, associated with suppressed uninvolved immunoglobulins and dysfunctional T cell responses. The biological basis of this dysfunction remains ill defined. Since T regulatory (Treg) cells play an important role in suppressing normal immune responses, we have here evaluated the potential role of Treg cells in immune dysfunction in MM. We observed a significant increase in CD4+CD25+ T cells in individuals with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and patients with MM compared to normal donors (25% and 26% versus 14%, respectively); however, Treg cells as measured by Foxp3 expression are significantly decreased in both MGUS (1.6±0.5%, p<0.01) and MM (1.6±0.5%, p<0.01) compared to normal donors (6.0±0.8%). Additionally, these Treg cells also do not function normally. Treg cells from patients with MM and MGUS even when added in higher proportions are unable to suppress anti-CD3-mediated T cell proliferation. This decreased number and function of Treg cells in MGUS and in MM may account, at least in part, for the non-specific increase in CD4+CD25+ T cells, thereby contributing to dysfunctional T cell responses. We have further analyzed the molecular basis for the Treg cell dysfunction in myeloma. Based on the preliminary results suggesting a role of IL-6 in Treg cell function and since both serum IL-6 and soluble IL-6 receptor levels are significantly elevated in MGUS and MM, we evaluated the role of IL-6 and its soluble receptor on Treg cell function. We observed that the addition of IL-6 and/or sIL-6 receptor to the culture leads to loss of Treg cell activity in normal donor cells similar to one observed in myeloma patients; and conversely, when Treg cells from MM patients are treated with the anti-IL-6 antibody or IL-6 receptor super antagonist, sant 7, the suppressive activity of Treg cells is restored. Additionally, we have preliminary evidence of expansion of Foxp3+ cell numbers in PBMC from MM patients following in vitro treatment with anti-IL-6 antibody. This data suggests a role of IL-6 and bone marrow microenvironment in dysfunctional Treg cells in MM and that inhibition of IL-6 signaling results in beneficial effects on T cell activity by increasing Treg cell activity. A blockade of IL-6 signaling thus emerges as a potential approach to establish immune homeostasis to improve immune function in MM.

Analysis of Peripheral Blood CD4+/CD25high Treg Cells and FOXP3 mRNA Expression in Patients Treated with Ipilimumab (Monoclonal Human Anti-CTLA4, MDX-010) for Relapse of Malignancy Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Transplantation.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 1735-1735
Author(s):  
Jiehua Zhou ◽  
Rui-kun Zhong ◽  
Iveta Kalcheva ◽  
Bridget Medina ◽  
Edward D. Ball ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Foxp3 Mrna ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Significant Change

Abstract CTLA-4 is expressed upon activation of T-cells,and serves as an important negative regulator of their effector function. It is also expressed constitutively on CD4+/CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg), where its function is not clear. Following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT), CTLA-4 function may be involved in suppression of alloreactive T cells that mediate the graft-versus malignancy effect and GVHD. We have studied the administration of a single dose of Ipilimumab (MDX-010), a fully human monoclonal anti-CTLA-4 antibody, in a dose escalation trial in patients with relapse/progression of malignancy following allo-HCT. Here we report effects of ipilimumab on peripheral CD4+/CD25+ cell levels and FOXP3 mRNA expression in these patients. Seventeen patients with a variety of malignancies were enrolled in this study. Ipilimumab was given intravenously at a dose level of 0.1, 0.33, 0.66, 1, and 3mg/kg. The blood samples were obtained prior and after infusion at day 7, 14 and 30. The immunophynotyping of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was analyzed by flow cytometry. CD4+/CD25+ cells from nine patients at day 0, 7, and five normal donors were separated using a Dynal CD4+/CD25+ Treg kit. FOXP3 mRNA expression on CD4+/CD25+ cells were analyzed by a quantitative RT-PCR. Expression level of FOXP3 was normalized to 18S rRNA. Within CD4+ cell population, the percentage of CD4+/CD25high cells was significantly higher in patients at day 0 (11.6±6.7%, n=17), compared with normal donors (3.8±1.6%, n=12; P<0.001). There was no significant change in CD4+/CD25high Treg cells in 17 patients after infusion. However, there was a transient 55±24% decrease of CD4+/CD25high Treg cells in 6 patients at day 7. FOXP3 mRNA expression in CD4+/CD25+ cells was significantly higher in patients at day 0 (2451±1731, n=9) compared with normal donors (918±348, n=5; P<0.001). After ipilimumab infusion, 3/9 patients showed a greater than 50% decrease, 4/9 patients showed no significant change, and 2/9 patients showed a 3–10 fold increase of FOXP3 mRNA expression at day 7. There was no correlation between the dose of ipilimumab and the percentage of CD4+/CD25high cells, or the FOXP3 mRNA expression. We did not observe a correlation of CD4+/CD25high Treg cells and FOXP3 mRNA expression in patients who had a clinical response or immune breakthrough adverse events in response to ipilimumab. These data suggest that in-vivo CTLA-4 blockade does not consistently impact the number of CD4+ CD25high Treg cells and that the clinical effects observed are probably related to the effects of ipilimumab upon activated effector T-cells.

Regulation of IL-17 in chronic inflammation in the human lung

2011 ◽  
Vol 120 (12) ◽  
pp. 515-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Pridgeon ◽  
Laurence Bugeon ◽  
Louise Donnelly ◽  
Ursula Straschil ◽  
Susan J. Tudhope ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Lung Tissue ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Human Lung ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Orphan Receptor ◽  
Th2 Cells ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Interleukin 17

The regulation of human Th17 cell effector function by Treg cells (regulatory T-cells) is poorly understood. In the present study, we report that human Treg (CD4+CD25+) cells inhibit the proliferative response of Th17 cells but not their capacity to secrete IL (interleukin)-17. However, they could inhibit proliferation and cytokine production by Th1 and Th2 cells as determined by IFN-γ (interferon-γ) and IL-5 biosynthesis. Currently, as there is interest in the role of IL-17-producing cells and Treg cells in chronic inflammatory diseases in humans, we investigated the presence of CD4+CD25+ T-cells and IL-17 in inflammation in the human lung. Transcripts for IL-17 were expressed in mononuclear cells and purified T-cells from lung tissue of patients with chronic pulmonary inflammation and, when activated, these cells secrete soluble protein. The T-cell-specific transcription factors RORCv2 (retinoic acid-related orphan receptor Cv2; for Th17) and FOXP3 (forkhead box P3; for Treg cells) were enriched in the T-cell fraction of lung mononuclear cells. Retrospective stratification of the patient cohort into those with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and non-COPD lung disease revealed no difference in the expression of IL-17 and IL-23 receptor between the groups. We observed that CD4+CD25+ T-cells were present in comparable numbers in COPD and non-COPD lung tissue and with no correlation between the presence of CD4+CD25+ T-cells and IL-17-producing cells. These results suggest that IL-17-expressing cells are present in chronically inflamed lung tissue, but there is no evidence to support this is due to the recruitment or expansion of Treg cells.

scholarly journals FOXP3 expression accurately defines the population of intratumoral regulatory T cells that selectively accumulate in metastatic melanoma lesions

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (13) ◽  
pp. 4953-4960 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mojgan Ahmadzadeh ◽  
Aloisio Felipe-Silva ◽  
Bianca Heemskerk ◽  
Daniel J. Powell ◽  
John R. Wunderlich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Metastatic Melanoma ◽  
Treg Cell ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Production Capacity ◽  
Biological Marker ◽  
Foxp3 Expression ◽  
Treg Cells

Abstract Regulatory T (Treg) cells are often found in human tumors; however, their functional characteristics have been difficult to evaluate due to low cell numbers and the inability to adequately distinguish between activated and Treg cell populations. Using a novel approach, we examined the intracellular cytokine production capacity of tumor-infiltrating T cells in the single-cell suspensions of enzymatically digested tumors to differentiate Treg cells from effector T cells. Similar to Treg cells in the peripheral blood of healthy individuals, tumor-infiltrating FOXP3+CD4 T cells, unlike FOXP3− T cells, were unable to produce IL-2 and IFN-γ upon ex vivo stimulation, indicating that FOXP3 expression is a valid biological marker for human Treg cells even in the tumor microenvironment. Accordingly, we enumerated FOXP3+CD4 Treg cells in intratumoral and peritumoral sections of metastatic melanoma tumors and found a significant increase in proportion of FOXP3+CD4 Treg cells in the intratumoral compared with peritumoral areas. Moreover, their frequencies were 3- to 5-fold higher in tumors than in peripheral blood from the same patients or healthy donors, respectively. These findings demonstrate that the tumor-infiltrating CD4 Treg cell population is accurately depicted by FOXP3 expression, they selectively accumulate in tumors, and their frequency in peripheral blood does not properly reflect tumor microenvironment.

517 Regulatory T cell functional identity is sustained by a glucose:lactate axis that is exploited in the tumor microenvironment

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A553-A553
Author(s):  
McLane Watson ◽  
Paolo Vignali ◽  
Steven Mullet ◽  
Abigail Overacre-Delgoffe ◽  
Ronal Peralta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Treg Cell ◽  
High Glucose ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Effector T Cells ◽  
Flux Analysis ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Suppressive Function

BackgroundRegulatory T (Treg) cells are vital for preventing autoimmunity but are a major barrier to robust cancer immunity as the tumor microenvironment (TME) recruits and promotes their function. The deregulated cellular metabolism of tumor cells leads to a metabolite-depleted, hypoxic, and acidic TME. While the TME impairs the effector function of highly glycolytic tumor infiltrating CD8 T cells, Treg cell suppressive function is maintained. Further, studies of in vitro induced and ex vivo Treg cells reveal a distinct metabolic profile compared to effector T cells. Thus, it may be that the altered metabolic landscape of the TME and the increased activity of intratumoral Treg cells are linked.MethodsFlow cytometry, isotopic flux analysis, Foxp3 driven Cre-lox, glucose tracers, Seahorse extracellular flux analysis, RNA sequencing.ResultsHere we show Treg cells display heterogeneity in terms of their glucose metabolism and can engage an alternative metabolic pathway to maintain their high suppressive function and proliferation within the TME and other tissues. Tissue derived Treg cells (both at the steady state and under inflammatory conditions) show broad heterogeneity in their ability to take up glucose. However, glucose uptake correlates with poorer suppressive function and long-term functional stability, and culture of Treg cells in high glucose conditions decreased suppressive function. Treg cells under low glucose conditions upregulate genes associated with the uptake and metabolism of the glycolytic end-product lactic acid. Treg cells withstand high lactate conditions, and lactate treatment prevents the destabilizing effects of high glucose culture. Treg cells utilize lactate within the TCA cycle and generate phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), a critical intermediate that can fuel intratumoral Treg cell proliferation in vivo. Using mice with a Treg cell-restricted deletion of lactate transporter Slc16a1 (MCT1) we show MCT1 is dispensable for peripheral Treg cell function but required intratumorally, resulting in slowed tumor growth and prolonged survival.ConclusionsThese data support a model in which Treg cells are metabolically flexible such that they can utilize ‘alternative’ metabolites present in the TME to maintain their suppressive identity. Further, our studies support the notion that tumors avoid immune destruction not only by depriving effector T cells of essential nutrients, but also by metabolically supporting regulatory T cells.

scholarly journals Role of T cells in intrauterine administration of activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells in recurrent implantation failure.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume Ricaud ◽  
Cathy Vaillancourt ◽  
Veronique Blais ◽  
Marjorie Disdier ◽  
Fabien Joao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Implantation Failure ◽  
Recurrent Implantation Failure ◽  
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear ◽  
Blood Mononuclear Cells

Intrauterine administration of autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) has been recently proposed as new immunotherapy for patients with unexplained recurrent implantation failure (RIF). In these patients, administration of activated PBMC 24-h or 72-h before embryo transfer resulted in a 3-fold increase in biochemical pregnancy rate. In this study we evaluated the role of T cells to promotes human endometrial receptivity. On the day of ovulation, PBMC were isolated from and activated with T cells mitogen, the phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and hCG for 48-h in a conditioned culture medium. Distributions of CD4+ T cells were characterized in 157 patients by flow cytometry before and after PHA/hCG activation. Cytokine production was analyzed by cytometric beads array. We observed in RIF patients a significant decrease in Th2 and natural Treg cells before activation with PHA/hCG and an increase of Th17 cells after activation compared to intrauterine sperm insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) groups. Furthermore, the hCG/PHA treatment increases anti-inflammatory T cells (Th2 and Treg cells) compared to non-treated T cells. Principal component analysis (PCA) performed on CD4 T cell subtypes revealed a different cellular profile in the RIF compared to the IUI and IVF groups. This inflammatory state change could explain how endometrium immunomodulation by hCG-activated PBMC helps patients with unexplained RIF to reach implantation.

scholarly journals DNAM-1 regulates Foxp3 expression in regulatory T cells by interfering with TIGIT under inflammatory conditions

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. e2021309118
Author(s):  
Kazuki Sato ◽  
Yumi Yamashita-Kanemaru ◽  
Fumie Abe ◽  
Rikito Murata ◽  
Yuho Nakamura-Shinya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treg Cell ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Mammalian Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Foxp3 Expression ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Cell Dysfunction ◽  
Inflammatory Conditions ◽  
Treg Cell Function

Regulatory T (Treg) cells that express forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) are pivotal for immune tolerance. Although inflammatory mediators cause Foxp3 instability and Treg cell dysfunction, their regulatory mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, we show that the transfer of Treg cells deficient in the activating immunoreceptor DNAM-1 ameliorated the development of graft-versus-host disease better than did wild-type Treg cells. We found that DNAM-1 competes with T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT) in binding to their common ligand CD155 and therefore regulates TIGIT signaling to down-regulate Treg cell function without DNAM-1–mediated intracellular signaling. DNAM-1 deficiency augments TIGIT signaling; this subsequently inhibits activation of the protein kinase B–mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 pathway, resulting in the maintenance of Foxp3 expression and Treg cell function under inflammatory conditions. These findings demonstrate that DNAM-1 regulates Treg cell function via TIGIT signaling and thus, it is a potential molecular target for augmenting Treg function in inflammatory diseases.

scholarly journals Constitutive Changes in Circulating Follicular Helper T Cells and Their Subsets in Patients with Graves’ Disease

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Liu ◽  
Xinwang Yuan ◽  
Xiaofang Li ◽  
Dawei Cui ◽  
Jue Xie
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Graves Disease ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Tfh Cells ◽  
Follicular Helper

Background. Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells are critical for high-affinity antibody generation and B cell maturation and differentiation, which play important roles in autoimmune diseases. Graves’ disease (GD) is one prototype of common organ-specific autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) characterized by autoreactive antibodies, suggesting a possible role for Tfh cells in the pathogenesis of GD. Our objective was to explore the role of circulating Tfh cell subsets and associated plasma cells (PCs) in patients with GD. Methods. Thirty-six patients with GD and 20 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in this study. The frequencies of circulating Tfh cell subsets and PCs were determined by flow cytometry, and plasma cytokines, including interleukin- (IL-) 21, IL-4, IL-17A, and interferon- (IFN-) γ, were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expression of transcription factors (Bcl-6, T-bet, GATA-3, and RORγt) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR. Results. Compared with HC, the frequencies of circulating CD4+CXCR5+CD45RA−Tfh (cTfh) cells with ICOS and PD-1 expression, the Tfh2 subset (CXCR3−CCR6−Tfh) cells, and PCs (CD19+CD27highCD38high) were significantly increased in the GD patients, but the frequencies of Tfh1 (CXCR3+CCR6−Tfh) and Tfh17 (CXCR3−CCR6+Tfh) subset cells among CD4+T cells were significantly decreased in GD patients. The plasma concentrations of IL-21, IL-4, and IL-17A were elevated in GD patients. Additionally, a positive correlation was found between the frequency of PD-1+Tfh cells (Tfh2 or PCs) and plasma IL-21 concentration (or serum TPO-Ab levels). The mRNA levels of transcription factors (GATA-3 and RORγt) were significantly increased, but T-bet and Bcl-6 mRNA expression was not obviously varied in PBMCs from GD patients. Interestingly, Tfh cell subsets and PCs from GD patients were partly normalized by treatment. Conclusion. Circulating Tfh cell subsets and PCs might play an important role in the pathogenesis of GD, which are potential clues for GD patients’ interventions.

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