Decreased T helper 17 cells in tuberculosis is associated with increased percentages of programmed death ligand 1, T helper 2 and regulatory T cells.

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most common infectious diseases worldwide. During active tuberculosis, T helper (Th) 17 cells are decreased, however the association with inhibitory immune regulation is unclear.

METHODS

We enrolled 27 patients with TB and 20 age- and sex-matched controls and studies their lymphocyte status. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated and programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) were measured on Th17 cells by using flow cytometry after the cells were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin for 6 h. In addition, Th2 and regulatory T cells were measured and analyzed.

RESULTS

The TB group had lower levels of Th17 cells but higher levels of Th2 and Treg cells than the controls. In Th17 cells, the percentage of PD-L1 was higher in the TB group than that in the controls. In Th2 and Treg cells, the percentage of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) was lower in the TB group and PD-1 was higher in Treg cells in the TB group. In the patients with extra-pulmonary TB, levels of Th1, Th2 and T17 cells were lower than those with pulmonary TB. The percentage of PD-1 on Th1 lymphocytes positively correlated with radiographic score.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower level of Th17 in TB patients may be associated with increased percentage of PD-L1 and increasing levels of Th2 and Treg cells which influenced by CTLA-4.