[Level of CD4(+) CD25(high) CD127(low/-) regulatory T cells in transitional cell carcinoma patients and its clinical significance].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the expressions of CD4+ CD25high CD127low/- regulatory T cells (Treg) in peripheral blood from patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in urinary system.

METHODS

The proportion of Treg population in CD4+ T cells from 93 patients with transitional cell carcinoma was evaluated. And flow cytometry was employed to analyze different clinicopathologic characteristics and detect the pre- and post-operative changes in 38 patients with benign urinary diseases and 37 healthy subjects.

RESULTS

The proportion of Treg population in CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood of patients with TCC significantly increased as compared with those with benign urinary diseases and healthy subjects. There was a strong correlation between the proportion of Treg and tumor recurrence, quantity, lymph node metastasis (P < 0. 01) as well as pathological stage; no correlation was found between the proportion of Treg and clinical TNM stage (P > 0. 05). The proportion of Treg was also different at pre- and post-operation (P < 0. 05).

CONCLUSION

CD4+ CD25high CD127low/- regulatory T cells in peripheral blood from patients with TCC significantly increased as compared with that in patients with benign urinary diseases and in healthy subjects. It may be responsible for immune suppression in TCC patients. Tumor resection could decrease the proportion of Treg in peripheral blood, but the long-term change in immune function requires further investigations.