Investigation of regulatory T cells in anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to determine, how severe calorie restriction in anorexia nervosa (AN) may influence regulatory T (Treg) cells and their cellular networks, that is, their main inducers (dendritic cells (DC) and monocytes) and their target cells, CD4+ lymphocytes.

DESIGN

We measured the prevalence of Tregs, myeloid and plasmocytoid DC. The prevalence of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin (IL)-12-positive monocytes, IL-2, IL-4 and interferon (IFN)-gamma positive CD4+ cells was determined by intracellular staining after activation.

SETTING AND SUBJECTS

In total, 21 AN patients and 19 healthy age-matched controls (body mass index values, median (range): 14.9 (11.1-17.4) vs 23.2 (19.5-27.4) kg/m(2)) have been recruited.

RESULTS

Prevalence of Tregs, DCs, TNF-alpha and IL-12-positive monocytes, IL-4 and IFN-gamma-producing CD4+ cells were similar in AN and controls. The prevalence of IL-2-positive CD4+ cells was somewhat lower in AN (% value, median (range): 12.05 (7.50-16.70) vs 14.40 (12.00-22.00), P<0.05). None of these parameters correlated with the patients' clinical characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the antigen presenting cell - regulatory T cell - CD4+ lymphocyte axis is not affected by calorie and nutritional deficiency.