OBJECTIVES: Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major obstacle to safe allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation, leading to significant mortality. Recently, T-helper (TH)-17 cells have been shown to play a central role in mediating several autoimmune diseases. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between TH-17 cells and GVHD occurring in transplanted patients. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 51 hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation patients and 15 healthy donors. Patients with GVHD were monitored for the presence of TH-17 cells by ELISPOT or flow cytometry in the peripheral blood and by confocal microscopy in GVHD lesions. Cytokine plasma levels were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: An increased TH-17 population (up to 4.8% of peripheral blood CD4+T lymphocytes) was observed in patients with acute GVHD and (up to 2.4%) in patients with active chronic GVHD along with an inflammatory process. In contrast, the percentage of TH-17 cells drastically decreased in patients with inactive chronic GVHD. TH-17 cells consisted of both interleukin (IL)-17/interferon (IFN)-γ3 and IL-17/IFN-γ3 subsets and expressed IL-23 receptor. Interestingly, IFN-γ3TH-17 cells were able to infiltrate GVHD lesions as observed in liver and skin sections. Moreover, the proportion of TH-17 was inversely correlated with the proportion of regulatory T cells observed in the peripheral blood and tissues affected by GVHD. Finally, we demonstrated a strong correlation between TH-17 levels and the clinical status of patients with GVHD. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the hypothesis that TH-17 are involved in the active phases of GVHD and may represent a novel cellular target for developing new strategies for GVHD treatment.
Interleukin-17-producing t-helper cells as new potential player mediating graft-versus-host disease in patients undergoing allogeneic stem-cell transplantation / E. Dander, A. Balduzzi, G. Zappa, G. Lucchini, P. Perseghin, V. André, E. Todisco, D. Rahal, M. Migliavacca, D. Longoni, G. Solinas, A. Villa, E. Berti, P.D. Mina, M. Parma, P. Allavena, E. Biagi, A. Rovelli, A. Biondi, G. D'Amico. - In: TRANSPLANTATION. - ISSN 0041-1337. - 88:11(2009), pp. 1261-1272.
Titolo: | Interleukin-17-producing t-helper cells as new potential player mediating graft-versus-host disease in patients undergoing allogeneic stem-cell transplantation |
Autori: | |
Parole Chiave: | TH-17 cells; GVHD; Transplantation |
Settore Scientifico Disciplinare: | Settore MED/35 - Malattie Cutanee e Veneree |
Data di pubblicazione: | 2009 |
Rivista: | |
Tipologia: | Article (author) |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): | http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/TP.0b013e3181bc267e |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 01 - Articolo su periodico |
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