Changes of CD3+CD56+ γδ T cell number and apoptosis during hospital admission are related to mortality in septic patients

Immunoparalysis and apoptosis of T cells are serious problems for the evolution of septic patients. We aimed to relate changes in the number of αβ and γδ T cells during hospital stay to the poor evolution of sepsis. In this prospective study, we recruited a total of 92 septic patients from the Emergency and Intensive Care Departments of two Hospitals, according to the latest criteria for the definition and management of sepsis. According to the severity of the septic process, there was a progressive decrease in T cells, being much more intense in γδ T cells. This decrease recovered in surviving patients, but CD3+CD56+ γδ T cells continued to decreased during hospital stay in non-surviving patients. Apoptosis increased in sepsis. Cell death of CD3+CD56+ γδ T cells progressively increased according to the severity of sepsis, especially in non-surviving patients.

Gammadelta T cells as a predictor of surgical relapse of Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

We recently demonstrated a decrease in the overall lymphocyte population in the peripheral blood of patients with CD compared to healthy controls and this decrease is more evident in γδ T lymphocytes. The percentages of T cell subsets could reflect the risk of surgical relapse in CD patients. The aim of this study is to study the correlation between αβ and γδ T cell subsets in the peripheral blood of patients with CD and the risk for surgery during follow up.

METHODS

A prospective study of 102 patients with CD compared with 102 healthy subjects (control group) matched by age and sex was conducted. Lymphocytic populations of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD56+, and αβ and γδ T cell subsets were measured in the peripheral blood of all participants.

RESULTS

We found evidence of a relationship between lower γδ T cell levels and risk of surgical relapse in CD. The lowest subsets observed in CD patients with surgical relapse were CD3+γδ, CD3+CD8+γδ and CD3+CD56+γδT cells. We observed a relationship between a decrease in γδ T cells and the most severe forms of the disease. The lowest levels of CD3+γδ and CD3+CD8+γδT cells were observed in the fistulizing phenotype.

CONCLUSIONS

The deficit of γδ T cells was related with the severity and the risk for surgical relapse in CD patients. Patients with CD3+γδ deficit were more prone to surgery than patients without this deficit. These results suggest that γδ T cells could be used as markers of poor prognosis of CD following the diagnosis of the disease.

Determination of Anti-Anisakis Simplex Antibodies and Relationship with αβ and γδ Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Patients with Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND

The etiology of Crohn's disease (CD) is still unknown although new theories are based on defects in innate immunity. We have previously shown a decrease in γδ T cells in CD patients. Previous studies have shown a high prevalence of anti-A. simplex immunoglobulins in CD patients. The diminution of γδ T cells in the peripheral blood and intestinal mucosa of CD patients may create a state of immunosuppression that would facilitate A. simplex infection.

AIMS

To study the antibody responses to Anisakis antigens in Crohn's disease patients and its relationship with αβ and γδ T cell subsets.

METHODS

We recruited 81 CD patients and 81 healthy controls. αβ and γδ T cell subsets and anti-A. simplex antibodies were measured.

RESULTS

Levels of anti-A. simplex IgG and IgM were significantly increased in CD patients. Almost 20% of CD patients were positive for IgG and IgM anti-A. simplex versus only 3.7 and 2.5%, respectively, in normal subjects. However, lower specific IgA levels were observed in the group of CD patients versus healthy subjects. We found an association between CD3 + CD8 + γδ subset and IgM anti-A. simplex levels. In ileal cases and stricturing behavior of CD, we observed the highest levels of specific antibodies with the exception of anti-A. simplex IgA.

CONCLUSIONS

The relationship of specific antibodies with a γδ T cell deficiency makes these cell candidates to play a role in the immune response against Anisakis. In addition, anti-Anisakis antibodies could be considered as markers of risk of progression in CD.

Values for αβ and γδ T-lymphocytes and CD4+, CD8+, and CD56+ subsets in healthy adult subjects: assessment by age and gender

BACKGROUND

Normal reference values in healthy subjects for T-lymphocytes for both types of receptors, αβ and γδ, and their subsets are yet to be defined. The aim of this study was to measure peripheral blood αβ and γδ total T-lymphocytes and their subsets in a population of healthy subjects, in order to obtain valid reference values for studies in human pathology.

METHODS

We studied a total of 157 healthy subjects, 78 men and 79 women, establishing their levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD56+, αβCD3+, αβCD3+CD4+, αβCD3+CD8+, αβCD3+CD56+, γδCD3+, γδCD3+CD4-CD8-, γδCD3+CD8+, and γδCD3+CD56+ T-cells by flow cytometry. The T-cell subsets were compared for different age and gender groups.

RESULTS

A significant decrease in CD3+, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD4+ αβ, and CD3+ γδ T-cells was observed in elderly subjects. CD3+, CD3+ αβ, and CD3+CD4+ αβ T-cells increased in women, while CD3+CD56+ αβ T-cells increased in men. CONCLUSIONS.: These reference values could be useful in further research studies for assessing changes that occur in the different αβ and γδ T subsets in human pathology.