Smoking Associated T-Cell Imbalance in Patients With Chronic Pain. Issue 1 (21st September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Heyn, Jens; Luchting, Benjamin; Azad, Shahnaz C
• Is Part Of: Nicotine & tobacco research. Volume 22:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 111
• Page End: 117
• Publication Date: 2018-09-21
• Subjects: Nicotine -- Periodicals; Tobacco -- Research -- Periodicals; Tobacco habit -- Periodicals; Nicotine -- Periodicals; Tobacco -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Periodicals; 613.85
• DOI: 10.1093/ntr/nty199
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1462-2203

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Smoking is associated with several diseases and affects the immune system. Recently, published data demonstrate an involvement of T helper 17 cells (Th17) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the pathogenesis of chronic pain and pain intensity. The role of these T-cell subsets in smoking patients with chronic pain is nebulous so far. We therefore analyzed Th17 cells and Tregs in smokers and nonsmokers with chronic pain. Methods: Analyses of T-cell subsets, mRNA expression and T-cell related cytokine profiles were done in 44 patients with chronic pain. Twenty-two of these patients were smokers. Numbers of T-cell subsets were quantified by flow cytometry. mRNA expression of the Th17- (RAR-related orphan receptor gamma) and Treg (forkhead box protein P3)-specific transcription factors was determined by quantitative real-time PCR, and levels of cytokines were measured by Human Cytokine Multiplex Immunoassay. Results: Compared to nonsmokers, smokers showed significantly enhanced pain levels. On cellular basis, the number of pro-inflammatory Th17 cells (smokers: 2.2 ± 2.5% vs. nonsmokers: 0.5 ± 0.4%; p = .04) was increased, whereas the number of anti-inflammatory Tregs (smokers: 2.5 ± 0.9% vs. nonsmokers: 3.1 ± 1.1%; p = .02) was significantly decreased, resulting in an altered Th17/Treg ratio (Th17/Treg ratio: 0.9 ± 1.0 in smokers vs. 0.2 ± 0.1 in nonsmokers; p < .01). These findings were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. Analyses of cytokines revealed only marginal changes. Conclusions: In patients with chronic pain, smoking is associated with enhanced pain levels together with an imbalance of the Th17/Treg ratio. The shift of the Th17/Treg ratio toward inflammation may explain in part the increased pain intensity in these patients. Implications: Smoking is associated with increased pain levels and a pro-inflammatory Th17/Treg shift. The altered Th17/Treg ratio in smoking patients with chronic pain may partly explain their increased pain intensity. German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS): Registration Trial DRKS00005954.