Abstract:
Objective To investigate the mechanism of Graves disease by observing the changes of CD4+CD25+CD127- regulatory T cells (Treg) population in the patients.
Methods Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of CD4+CD25+CD127- Treg of CD4+ T cells in 90 Graves disease patients (Graves disease group) and 50 healthy adults(control group). Thyroid function and autoantibody levels were determined simultaneously. The t test was adopted for comparison between groups. The relationship between CD4+CD25+CD127- Treg and thyroid function was analyzed by linear correlation analysis.
Results The percentages of CD4+CD25+CD127-Treg in Graves disease group and control group were 1.39%±1.09% and 4.59%±1.14% separately. There was significant difference between the two groups(t=16.4, P < 0.01). There were negative correlation between CD4+CD25+CD127- Treg percentages and total triiodothyronine, total thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine and thyrotropin receptor antibody, thyroglobulin antibody, thyroid microsomal antibody(r=-0.62, -0.65, -0.56, -0.71, -0.50, -0.15, all P < 0.01).
Conclusions The reduction of CD4+CD25+CD127-Treg percentages in Graves disease group and close relations of CD4+CD25+CD127-Treg with thyroid function and thyroid autoantibody levels suggest that CD4+CD25+CD127-Treg decrease in the number may be associated with the onset of Graves disease. CD4+CD25+CD127- may be the specific marker of Treg.