Impaired Lymphocyte Profile in Schistosomiasis Patients with Periportal Fibrosis

• Published in: Clinical & developmental immunology 2013-01, Vol.2013 (2013), p.1-8
• Main Authors: Araujo, Maria Ilma, De Souza, Robson Da Paixão, Oliveira, Ricardo Riccio, Fernandes, Jamille Souza, Barreto, Andréia de Souza Rocha, Cardoso, Luciana Santos, Carvalho, Edgar M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Brazil; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Fibrosis - etiology; Humans; Immune system; Immunology; Immunophenotyping; Infections; Lymphocyte Activation - immunology; Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology; Lymphocyte Subsets - metabolism; Lymphocytes; Male; Middle Aged; Portal System - pathology; Schistosoma; Schistosomiasis - complications; Schistosomiasis - diagnosis; Schistosomiasis - immunology; Schistosomiasis mansoni - immunology; Studies; Young Adult
• ISSN: 2314-8861; 1740-2522; 2314-7156; 1740-2530
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/710647

The Th2 immune response in chronic schistosomiasis is associated with the development of periportal fibrosis. However, little is known about the phenotype and activation status of T cells in the process. Objective. To evaluate the profile of T cells in schistosomiasis patients with periportal fibrosis. Methods. It was a cross-sectional study, conducted in the village of Agua Preta, Bahia, Brazil, which included 37 subjects with periportal fibrosis determined by ultrasound. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained by the Ficcol-hypaque gradient and the frequency of T cells expressing the surface markers CD28, CD69, CD25, and CTLA-4 was determined by flow cytometry. Results. The frequency of CD4+CD28+ T lymphocytes was higher in individuals with moderate to severe fibrosis compared to patients with incipient fibrosis. We did not observe any significant difference in the frequency of CD4+ T cells expressing CD69 among groups of individuals. There was also no significant difference in the frequency of CD8+ T cells expressing CD28 or CD69 among the studied groups. Individuals with moderate to severe fibrosis presented a lower frequency of CD8+ T cells, CD4+CD25high T cells, and CD4+CTLA-4+ T cells when compared to patients without fibrosis or incipient fibrosis. The frequency of CD4+CD25low cells did not differ between groups. Conclusion. The high frequency of activated T cells coinciding with a low frequency of putative Treg cells may account for the development of periportal fibrosis in human schistosomiasis.