Associations of T helper 1, 2, 17 and regulatory T lymphocytes with mortality in severe sepsis

• Published in: Inflammation research Vol. 62; no. 8; pp. 751 - 763
• Main Authors: Wu, Huang-Pin, Chung, Kong, Lin, Chun-Yao, Jiang, Bor-Yiing, Chuang, Duen-Yau, Liu, Yu-Chih
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel Springer Basel 01.08.2013; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aged; Allergology; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Dermatology; Female; Humans; Immunology; Lymphocyte Count; Male; Middle Aged; Neurology; Original Research Paper; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Rheumatology; Sepsis - immunology; Sepsis - mortality; T-Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer - immunology; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - immunology; Regulatory T lymphocytes; T helper 17 lymphocytes; Severe sepsis; Mortality; T helper 1 lymphocytes
• ISSN: 1023-3830; 1420-908X; 1420-908X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00011-013-0630-3

Objective and design T helper 17 (Th17) and regulatory T (T reg ) lymphocytes might play important roles in patients with severe sepsis. The association of Th17 or T reg lymphocytes with survival is also unclear. Methods Eighty-seven patients with severe sepsis were enrolled from our intensive care units between August 2008 and July 2010. Leukocyte antigens and clinical data were determined on day 1 in all patients and on day 7 in first-year patients. Results The percentages in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and circulatory counts of CD4 + and CD8 + lymphocytes in survivors were higher than those in non-survivors. Th1/CD4 + ratios and circulatory Th1 lymphocyte counts in survivors were higher than in non-survivors. Absolute counts of Th17 and T reg lymphocytes in survivors were higher than in non-survivors. The percentages of CD4 + and CD8 + in survivors’ PBMCs were increased after 6 days. Th17/CD4 + ratios and circulatory Th17 lymphocyte counts in survivors were increased after 6 days. Conclusions Higher Th1 differentiation and total CD4 + T lymphocyte counts were associated with higher survival. The association of circulatory Th17 and T reg lymphocytes with mortality in severe sepsis may be due to the change in total CD4 + T lymphocytes. In survivors, Th17 differentiation and counts were restored.