Xu Wei-Han, Hu Xiao-Ling, Liu Xiao-Fang, Bai Peng, Sun Yong-Chang
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730; Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.
Chin Med J (Engl). 2016 Apr 20;129(8):909-16. doi: 10.4103/0366-6999.179798.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive loss of lung function and local and systemic inflammation, in which CD8+ T-cells are believed to play a key role. Activated CD8+ T-cells differentiate into distinct subpopulations, including interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-producing Tc1 and interleukin (IL)-17-producing Tc17 cells. Recent evidence indicates that Tc17 cells exhibit considerable plasticity and may convert into IL-17/IFN-γ-double producing (Tc17/IFN-γ) cells when driven by inflammatory conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the Tc17/IFN-γ subpopulation in peripheral blood of patients with COPD and to evaluate their potential roles in this disease.
Peripheral blood samples were collected from 15 never-smokers, 23 smokers with normal lung function, and 25 patients with COPD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease 2-4). Proportions of the IL-17/IFN-γ-double expressing subpopulation were assessed using flow cytometry. Plasma concentrations of cytokines favoring Tc17/IFN-γ differentiation were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Patients with COPD had higher proportions of Tc17 cells and Tc17/IFN-γ cells in the peripheral blood than smokers and never-smokers. The plasticity of Tc17 cells was higher than that of Th17 cells. The percentages of Tc17 cells and Tc17/IFN-γ cells showed negative correlations with forced expiratory volume in 1 s % predicted value (r = -0.418, P = 0.03; r = -0.596, P = 0.002, respectively). The plasma concentrations of IL-6, transforming growth factor-β1, and IL-12 were significantly higher in patients with COPD compared with smokers and never-smokers.
Peripheral Tc17 cells are increased and more likely to convert to Tc17/IFN-γ cells in COPD, suggesting that Tc17 cell plasticity may be involved in persistent inflammation of the disease.
慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）的特征是肺功能进行性丧失以及局部和全身炎症，其中CD8 + T细胞被认为起关键作用。活化的CD8 + T细胞分化为不同的亚群，包括产生干扰素-γ（IFN-γ）的Tc1细胞和产生白细胞介素（IL）-17的Tc17细胞。最近的证据表明，Tc17细胞具有相当大的可塑性，在炎症条件驱动下可能转化为产生IL-17/IFN-γ的双阳性（Tc17/IFN-γ）细胞。本研究的目的是调查COPD患者外周血中的Tc17/IFN-γ亚群，并评估它们在该疾病中的潜在作用。
采集15名从不吸烟者、23名肺功能正常的吸烟者和25名COPD患者（慢性阻塞性肺疾病全球倡议2-4级）的外周血样本。使用流式细胞术评估双表达IL-17/IFN-γ亚群的比例。通过酶联免疫吸附测定法测量有利于Tc17/IFN-γ分化的细胞因子的血浆浓度。
COPD患者外周血中Tc17细胞和Tc17/IFN-γ细胞的比例高于吸烟者和从不吸烟者。Tc17细胞的可塑性高于Th17细胞。Tc17细胞和Tc17/IFN-γ细胞的百分比与1秒用力呼气容积占预计值的百分比呈负相关（r = -0.418，P = 0.03；r = -0.596，P = 0.002）。与吸烟者和从不吸烟者相比，COPD患者血浆中IL-6、转化生长因子-β1和IL-12的浓度显著更高。
COPD患者外周血中的Tc17细胞增加，并且更有可能转化为Tc17/IFN-γ细胞，这表明Tc17细胞的可塑性可能参与了该疾病的持续炎症反应。
