Clinical Significance of Peripheral Blood T Lymphocyte Subsets in Helicobacter pylori-Infected Patients

Yuka Satoh, Hatsue Ogawara, Osamu Kawamura, Motoyasu Kusano, Hirokazu Murakami, Yuka Satoh, Hatsue Ogawara, Osamu Kawamura, Motoyasu Kusano, Hirokazu Murakami

Abstract

Background. Helicobacter pylori chronically colonizes gastric/duodenal mucosa and induces gastroduodenal disease and vigorous humoral and cellular immune responses. Methods. In order to clarify the immunological changes induced by this infection, we determined the percentage and, as indicated, ratios of the following cells in peripheral blood of 45 H. pylori-infected patients and 21 control subjects: CD4(+) T cell, CD8(+) T cells, T helper 1 cells (Th1), T helper 2 cells (Th2), CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells, Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs), CD4/CD8 ratio, and Th1/Th2 ratio. Results. The percentage of CD8(+) T cells was significantly lower in H. pylori-infected patients (mean ± SD; 18.0 ± 7.1%) compared to control subjects (mean ± SD; 23.2 ± 7.8%) (P < 0.05). The CD4/CD8 ratio was significantly higher in H. pylori-infected patients (mean ± SD; 3.1 ± 2.4) compared to control subjects (mean ± SD; 2.1 ± 1.0) (P < 0.05). The Th1/Th2 ratio was significantly lower in H. pylori-infected patients (mean ± SD; 10.0 ± 8.5) compared to control subjects (mean ± SD; 14.5 ± 9.0) (P < 0.05). The percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells in H. pylori-infected patients (mean ± SD; 13.2 ± 6.2%) was significantly higher than that in control subjects (mean ± SD; 9.8 ± 3.4%) (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in Tregs. Conclusion. Tregs did not decrease, but the activation of humoral immunity and Th2 polarization were observed in the peripheral blood of H. pylori-infected patients. In some cases, these changes may induce systemic autoimmune diseases.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(a) Comparison of the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Left and right sides show the data of control subjects and H. pylori-infected patients, respectively. White columns represent the percentage of CD4+ T lymphocyte, and black columns represent CD8+ T lymphocyte. Data are given as mean ± SD. There was no significant difference in the percentage of CD4+ T cells in H. pylori-infected patients (mean ± SD; 43.0 ± 10.4%) as compared to control subjects (mean ± SD; 42.2 ± 8.1%). However, the percentage of CD8+ T cells was significantly lower in H. pylori-infected patients (mean ± SD; 18.0 ± 7.1%) compared to control subjects (mean ± SD; 23.2 ± 7.8%) (P < 0.05). (b) CD4/CD8 ratio in control subjects (white column) and H. pylori-infected patients (black column). Data are given as mean ± SD. The CD4/CD8 ratio was significantly higher in H. pylori-infected patients (mean ± SD; 3.1 ± 2.4) compared to control subjects (mean ± SD; 2.1 ± 1.0) (P < 0.05).
Figure 2
Figure 2
(a) The percentage of Th1 cells and Th2 cells. Left and right figures show the percentage of Th1 and Th2 cells, respectively. White columns represent the data of normal subjects, and black columns represent the data of H. pylori-infected patients. Data are given as mean ± SD. There was no significant difference in the percentage of Th1 cells in H. pylori-infected patients (mean ± SD; 20.2 ± 8.6%) and control subjects (mean ± SD; 21.2 ± 10.6%). However, the percentage of Th2 cells in H. pylori-infected patients (mean ± SD; 2.8 ± 1.6%) was significantly higher than in control subjects (mean ± SD; 1.8 ± 1.0%), (P < 0.05). (b) Comparison of Th1/Th2 ratio. White columns represent the data of normal subjects, and black columns represent the data of H. pylori-infected patients. Data are given as mean ± SD. The Th1/Th2 ratio was significantly lower in H. pylori-infected patients (mean ± SD; 10.0 ± 8.5) compared to control subjects (mean ± SD; 14.5 ± 9.0) (P < 0.05).
Figure 3
Figure 3
The percentage of CD4+CD25+ T cell and CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ (regulatory T cell). Left and right sides show the data of control subjects and H. pylori-infected patients, respectively. White columns represent the percentage of CD4+CD25+ T cell, and black columns represent the percentage of regulatory T cell. Data are given as mean ± SD. The percentage of CD4+CD25+ T cells in H. pylori-infected patients (mean ± SD; 13.2 ± 6.2%) was significantly higher than that in control subjects (mean ± SD; 9.8 ± 3.4%) (P < 0.05). The percentage of Tregs (CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells) was not significantly different between H. pylori-infected patients (mean ± SD; 4.1 ± 2.1%) and control subjects (mean ± SD; 4.0 ± 1.7%).

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Source: PubMed

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