Imbalances of CD4+ T-cell subgroups in Crohn's disease and their relationship with disease activity and prognosis

Background and AimThe CD4(+) T-cell subgroups play central pathophysiological roles in Crohn's disease (CD); however, their clinical relevance requires additional clarification and remains controversial. We investigated their balance in Chinese CD patients and explored their clinical significance. MethodsPeripheral blood mononuclear cells and serum were collected from 46 Chinese CD patients and 23 healthy donors. Circulating Treg, Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells were flow cytometrically analyzed. Subgroup-restricted transcription factor expression was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum concentrations of the main cytokines produced by each subgroup were measured by cytometric bead arrays or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ResultsLower Treg proportion (6.01.2% vs 7.8 +/- 1.5%, P=0.030), FOXP3 mRNA expression (0.58-fold, P=0.030), and circulating soluble TGF-1 (19.1 +/- 9.9 vs 32.7 +/- 16.8ng/mL, P=0.038) were observed in CD patients versus controls. The Th1 and Th17 proportions were higher in CD patients (17.8 +/- 6.6% vs 7.8 +/- 1.5%, P<0.001; and 3.7 +/- 1.8% vs 1.8 +/- 0.7%, P=0.022, respectively), as were transcription factors T-bet (4.6-fold, P=0.043) and RORt (14-fold, P<0.001) and related cytokines (P<0.05). Th2 proportion, GATA3 mRNA expression, and serum interleukin-4 concentration in CD patients were similar to controls (P>0.05). Treg/Th1 and Treg/Th17 ratios were higher in inactive versus active CD patients (0.6 +/- 0.4 vs 0.3 +/- 0.1, P=0.022; and 3.7 +/- 2.0 vs 1.7 +/- 1.4, P=0.013, respectively). During follow-up, patients with lower Treg/Th1 and Treg/Th17 ratios were at higher recurrence risk. ConclusionsImbalances among Treg, Th1, and Th17 subgroups were found in Chinese CD patients. Treg/Th1 and Treg/Th17 ratios are associated with disease activity and are potential prognostic indicators for predicting CD recurrence.