Detection of Th17/Treg cell balance in peripheral blood of patients with Henoch-Schonlein purpura

Objective To assess the role of Th 17/Treg cell imbalance in the pathogenesis of HenochSch(o)nlein purpura (HSP). Methods Peripheral blood was obtained from 59 children with HSP and 38 ageand sex-matched healthy subjects. Flow cytometric analysis (FCM) was performed to detect the percentage of CD4+IL17+ T (Th17) cells and CD4+CD25+ Foxp3+ T (Treg) cells, real-time RT-PCR to measure the mRNA expressions of RORγt and Foxp3, which are specific transcription factors of Th17 and Treg cells, respectively.Results Patients with HSP showed a significant increase in the percentage of Th17 cells and mRNA level of RORγt (1.87% ± 0.56% vs 0.39% ± 0.15%, 7.71 ± 1.95 vs 1.49 ± 0.57, both P＜ 0.01) and a statistical decrease in the percentage of Treg cells and mRNA level of Foxp3 ( 1.63% ± 0.44% vs 5.04% ± 1.44%, 0.34 ±0.11 vs 1.71 ± 0.69, both P ＜ 0.01 ) compared with the normal controls. No significant difference was observed in the percentage of Th17 or Treg cells or the mRNA levels of RORγt or Foxp3 among patients with different types of HSP. Conclusion In patients with HSP, there is a change in the pecentage of Th17/Treg cells and expression of their transcription factors, which may lead to immune imbalance and contribute to the development of HSP. Key words: Sch(o)nlein-Henoch purpura;  Th17 cells;  T-lymphocytes, regulatory