Invariant natural killer T cells are functionally impaired in patients with systemic sclerosis.
Arthritis Res Ther
; 21(1): 212, 2019 10 15.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31615552
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a potentially fatal autoimmune disease that leads to extensive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are potent immunoregulatory T lymphocytes being able to orchestrate dysregulated immune responses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate numbers and function of iNKT cells in patients with SSc and to analyze their correlation with disease parameters.METHODS:
Human iNKT cells from 88 patients with SSc and 33 healthy controls were analyzed by flow cytometry. Their proliferative capacity and cytokine production were investigated following activation with CD1d ligand α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer).RESULTS:
We observed an absolute and relative decrease of iNKT cells in patients with SSc compared with healthy controls. Interestingly, the subtype of SSc, disease severity, or treatment with immunosuppressive drugs did not affect iNKT cell numbers. However, T helper (Th) cell immune polarization was biased towards a Th17 immunophenotype in SSc patients. Moreover, iNKT cells from patients with SSc showed a significantly decreased expansion capacity upon stimulation with α-GalCer.CONCLUSION:
iNKT cells are deficient and functionally impaired in patients with SSc. Therefore, adoptive transfer strategies using culture-expanded iNKT cells could be a novel approach to treat SSc patients.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Escleroderma Sistêmico
/
Células T Matadoras Naturais
Limite:
Adult
/
Aged
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Aged80
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Female
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Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Arthritis Res Ther
Assunto da revista:
REUMATOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2019
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Alemanha