01.03.2010
Elevated Interleukin-21 Correlated to Th17 and Th1 Cells in Patients with Immune Thrombocytopenia
verfasst von:
Xiaojuan Zhu, Daoxin Ma, Jingbo Zhang, Jun Peng, Xun Qu, Chunyan Ji, Ming Hou
Erschienen in:
Journal of Clinical Immunology
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Ausgabe 2/2010
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Abstract
Background
Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is critical in the development of autoimmune diseases. The role of IL-21 in the pathogenesis of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) remains unknown.
Materials and Methods
We examined the expression of IL-21, IL-17, and interferon (IFN)-γ in ITP patients and controls by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry. Detection of specific anti-platelet GPIIb/IIIa and/or GPIb/IX autoantibodies was measured by modified monoclonal antibody specific immobilization of platelet antigens.
Results
IL-21 was expressed on both CD3+CD8− T cells and CD3+CD8+ T cells by flow cytometry. Plasma IL-21 level and the percentage of CD3+CD8−IL-21+ T cells and CD3+CD8+IL-21+ T cells were significantly elevated in ITP patients compared to controls. The percentage of CD3+CD8−IL-17+ T (Th17), CD3+CD8−IFN-γ+ T (Th1), and CD3+CD8+IFN-γ+ T (Tc1) cells also significantly increased in ITP patients. Moreover, we found a significant positive correlation between CD3+CD8−IL-21+ T cells and Th17 cells. In addition, a positive correlation between CD3+CD8−IL-21+ T cells and Th1 cells was also found.
Conclusion
Together, our results indicated a possible role of IL-21 in ITP patients correlated to Th17 and Th1 cells, and blockade of IL-21 may be a reasonable therapeutic strategy for ITP especially those with active disease.