Expression of Th9 Cells from Peripheral Blood of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis Patients and Its Clinical Significance / 现代检验医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the role of Th9 cells in primary biliary cirrhosis and its clinical significance.Methods The percentages of Th9 cells in patients with PBC (n=38)and healthy controls (n=38)were measured by flow cytometry. Patients clinical data were collected and Mayo risk scores were calculated.Determined the levels of IL-9,PU-1 and TGF-βmRNA expressions and the protein levels of IL-9 in plasma.Further analyzed the correlation between Th9 cells and clinical parameters.Results Compared to healthy controls,Th9 cells percentage was higher in PBC patients and increased with dis-ease stages (t=27.29;P<0.01).IL-9,PU-1 and TGF-βmRNA expressions were increased compared with healthy controls (t=14.69,23.92,10.48;all P<0.01)and the protein level of IL-9 was also up-regulated (t=11.66;P<0.01).The clinical parameters (ALP,AST,ALT,GGT and TBIL)were higher than healthy controls (t=10.94,12.95,10.56,14.92,27.70;all P<0.01).Moreover,the percentage of Th9 cells were positively correlated to Mayo risk,ALT,AST,GGT and TBIL (P<0.05).Conclusion Th9 cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of PBC and related to the disease stage,which provides new clues for future immunotherapy.