Decreased numbers of regulatory T cells suggest impaired immune tolerance in children with tourette syndrome: a preliminary study.
Biol Psychiatry
; 61(3): 273-8, 2007 Feb 01.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16996487
BACKGROUND: Post-streptococcal autoimmune inflammation of basal ganglia was suggested to be an etiological factor in some cases of Tourette syndrome (TS). Since regulatory T (T reg) cells play a major role in preventing autoimmunity, we hypothesized that a defect in T reg cells may be present in children with TS. We also postulated that group A beta hemolytic streptococcal infections could promote autoimmune responses by releasing exotoxins (streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins [SPE]). METHODS: We analyzed peripheral blood of TS patients and healthy age-matched control subjects by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) on multiple occasions and determined the numbers of CD4(+)CD25(+)CD69(-) T reg cells. Further, we quantified the number of CD4(+) and CD8(+) lymphocytes with regard to Vbeta chains to which SPEs are known to bind. RESULTS: A significant decrease in T reg cells was observed in patients with moderate to severe TS symptoms compared with healthy age-matched control children. A decrease in T reg cell number was also noted during symptom exacerbations in five out of six patients. Further, we found a significant decrease in numbers of CD8(+)Vbeta18(+) T cells in moderate to severe TS patients. CONCLUSIONS: These data support our hypothesis that at least some TS patients may have a decreased capacity to inhibit autoreactive lymphocytes through a deficit in T reg cells. Interactions of host T cell immunity and microbial factors may also contribute to the pathogenesis of TS.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Linfócitos T
/
Síndrome de Tourette
/
Tolerância Imunológica
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Child
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Biol Psychiatry
Ano de publicação:
2007
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos
País de publicação:
Estados Unidos