Abstract
Regulatory T-cells CD4+CD25+FoxP3+CD127low (Тregs) belong to the family of CD4+ T-cell subpopulation. Tregs display the suppressive
activity and play a critical role in regulation and maintenance of autotolerance and immune homeostasis. The generation and differentiation
of Tregs controlled by the transcription factor FoxP3, provide their ability of inhibition both of inflammation and autoimmune reactions.
Dysfunction of FoxP3 is associated with the defective T-cell regulation and autoimmune aggression. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
(SLE), type I diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases, thyroiditis and other autoimmune diseases demonstrate lower expression of FoxP3 and
defective regulation of Treg function. Recently, we have shown downregulation of number and inhibited suppressive function of circulating
Tregs in patients with remitting relapsing multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and SLE. Number of Treg cells dropped during the periods of relapse
and elevated in remission. Increasing the duration and severity of disease was followed by the decline of Treg cell numbers. The ability of
circulating T-cells separated from peripheral blood of patients to inhibit proliferation in vitro was lower in comparison with the same ability
of Tregs of healthy control donors. The circulating Tregs count in patients with autoimmune diseases may serve as a diagnostic test for estimation
of relapse, and/or indicator for therapy.
Authors and affiliations
S.N. Bykovskaya (1,2), A.V. Karasev (1), A.V. Lokhonina (1), E.B. Kleimenova (1)
1 -Medical Center of the Bank of Russia,
2 -The Russian National Research Medical University named after N.I. Pirogov, Moscow