No alterations in the frequency of FOXP3+ regulatory T-cells in type 1 diabetes

Diabetes. 2007 Mar;56(3):604-12. doi: 10.2337/db06-1248.

Abstract

Regulatory T-cells (Tregs) play a critical role in maintaining dominant peripheral tolerance. Previous characterizations of Tregs in type 1 diabetes have used antibodies against CD4 and alpha-chain of the interleukin-2 receptor complex (CD25). This report extends those investigations by the addition of a more lineage-specific marker for Tregs, transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), in subjects with type 1 diabetes, their first-degree relatives, and healthy control subjects. With inclusion of this marker, two predominant populations of CD4(+)CD25(+) T-cells were identified: CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) as well as CD4(+)FOXP3(-) T-cells expressing low levels of CD25 (CD4(+)CD25(LOW)FOXP3(-)). In all study groups, the frequency of CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) cells was age independent, whereas CD4(+)CD25(LOW)FOXP3(-) cell frequencies strongly associated with age. In terms of additional markers for delineating cells of Treg lineage, FOXP3(+) cells were CD127(-) to CD127(LOW) whereas CD25(+) cells were less restricted in their expression of this marker, with CD127 expressed across a continuum of levels. Importantly, no differences were observed in the frequency of CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) T-cells in individuals with or at varying degrees of risk for type 1 diabetes. These investigations suggest that altered peripheral blood frequencies of Tregs, as defined by the expression of FOXP3, are not specifically associated with type 1 diabetes and continue to highlight age as an important variable in analysis of immune regulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aging
  • Biomarkers
  • Child
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / genetics
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / metabolism
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 1
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • FOXP3 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens
  • Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 1