Altered expression of CD39 on memory regulatory T cells in type 1 diabetes patients. Issue 6 (11th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jin, Xi; Zhang, Chenghui; Gong, Lina; Li, Huifang; Wang, Yan; Li, Qin; Li, Hong
• Is Part Of: Journal of diabetes. Volume 11:Issue 6(2019)
• Page Start: 440
• Page End: 448
• Publication Date: 2018-11-11
• Subjects: CD39 -- effector/memory -- regulatory T cells -- type 1 diabetes; CD39 -- 效应/记忆 -- 调节性T细胞 -- 1型糖尿病; Diabetes -- Periodicals; 618.3646005
• DOI: 10.1111/1753-0407.12870
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1753-0393

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease resulting from an attack by autoreactive T lymphocytes against pancreatic islet β‐ cells. In recent studies, regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been implicated in the process of T1D. Furthermore, cluster of differentiation 39 (CD39), which is involved in the suppression of inflammation, has been shown to be expressed on Tregs. However, the pathological importance of CD39 to the memory Treg population remains unclear. Methods: This study investigated Treg subsets, focusing on resting, effector, and memory Tregs, and determined CD39 expression on Tregs. In addition, changes in Treg subsets and Treg‐associated cytokine secretion after CD3/CD28 stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were evaluated in diabetic patients and healthy controls. The suppressive function of Tregs was measured using the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) test. Results: There was a higher percentage of memory Tregs in T1D patients than healthy controls. However, Tregs in T1D patients showed impaired suppression, with low forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) expression and low serum interleukin (IL)‐10 levels. Furthermore, CD39 expression on Tregs, and on memory Tregs in particular, was lower in T1D patients than healthy controls. After stimulation, the percentage of resting Tregs was decreased and that of effector/memory Tregs was increased in both healthy controls and T1D patients, but CD39 expression on effector/memory Tregs was still lower and there was no increase in IL‐10 secretion in T1D patients. Conclusions: The defective suppressive function of Tregs in T1D patients is due to lower expression of CD39 on memory Tregs. Abstract : Highlights Type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients had a higher percentage of memory regulatory T cells (Tregs), but T1D patients had a lower frequency of Foxp3 high Tregs and lower serum interleukin‐10 concentrations with impaired suppression. Expression of CD39 was detected on memory Tregs, but rarely on resting and effector Tregs. After stimulation of CD3/CD28 beads on Peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) from T1D patients, the percentage of resting Tregs was decreased and that of effector/memory Tregs was increased in both healthy controls and T1D patients; however, CD39 expression on effector and memory Tregs remained lower in T1D patients.