Decreased gene expression of interleukin 2 receptor subunit γ (CD132) in tissues of patients with Crohn’s disease

• Published in: World journal of gastroenterology : WJG Vol. 31; no. 12; p. 97120
• Main Authors: Andreu-Ballester, Juan Carlos, Hurtado-Marcos, Carolina, García-Ballesteros, Carlos, Pérez-Griera, Jaime, Izquierdo, Fernando, Ollero, Dolores, Jiménez, Ana, Gil-Borrás, Rafael, Llombart-Cussac, Antonio, López-Chuliá, Francisca, Cuéllar, Carmen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Baishideng Publishing Group Inc 28.03.2025
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Apoptosis; Case Control Study; Case-Control Studies; Caspase 3 - genetics; Caspase 3 - metabolism; Crohn Disease - blood; Crohn Disease - genetics; Crohn Disease - immunology; Crohn Disease - pathology; Female; Humans; Interleukin-7 - blood; Interleukin-7 - genetics; Interleukin-7 - metabolism; Intestinal Mucosa - immunology; Male; Middle Aged; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta - metabolism; T-Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology; Young Adult; Interleukin 7; γδ T cells; Interleukin 2 receptor subunit γ (CD 132); Caspase-3; Crohn’s disease
• ISSN: 1007-9327; 2219-2840; 2219-2840
• DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v31.i12.97120

BACKGROUND A deficiency of γδ T cells has been described in Crohn's disease (CD). AIM To analyze the gene expression of interleukin 7 (IL-7) and its receptors in the tissues of patients with CD. METHODS We studied the peripheral blood of 80 patients with CD, comparing them with a group of 80 healthy subjects. The number and apoptosis of αβ and γδ T cells in peripheral blood and the proportion of αβ and γδ T cells in the intestinal tissues of patients with CD (n = 25) were studied. The gene and protein expression of IL-7, IL-2 receptor subunit γ [cluster of differentiation 132 (CD132)], receptor α (CD127), and caspase-3 in tissues was analyzed by quantitative PCR. Serum IL-7 levels were also analyzed. RESULTS In patients with CD, a decreased number of γδ T cells and an increase in the apoptosis of CD56+ αβ and γδ T cells in peripheral blood was observed (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.01) respectively, and there was an inverse correlation among T subsets and their apoptosis. In addition, IL-7 gene expression and IL-7 protein in the tissues of these patients were increased. The titers of caspase-3 in tissues were low vs control group (P > 0.01). The percentage of CD8+γδ T cells decreased in tissues (P < 0.01), and was directly related to IL-7 levels in peripheral blood. The expression of IL-2 receptor subunit γ (CD132) was greatly decreased in the tissues of patients with CD (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION There may be a cause-effect relationship between the lower gene expression of the IL-2 receptor subunit γ (CD132) in tissues of patients with CD and γδ T cells immunodeficiency.