Circulating Memory T Follicular Helper Cells in Patients with Neuromyelitis Optica/Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders

• Published in: Mediators of inflammation Vol. 2016; no. 2016; pp. 1 - 13
• Main Authors: Jin, Tao, Wei, Yafen, Liu, Jingyao, Han, Jinming, Jiang, Yanfang, Fan, Xueli, Jiang, Xinmei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Publishing Corporation 01.01.2016; John Wiley & Sons, Inc; Hindawi Limited; Wiley
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aquaporin 4 - metabolism; Aquaporins; B cells; Blood cell count; Clinical Study; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Female; Humans; Inducible T-Cell Co-Stimulator Protein - metabolism; Interleukins - blood; Interleukins - metabolism; Male; Middle Aged; Neuromyelitis Optica - blood; Neuromyelitis Optica - metabolism; Receptors, CCR7 - metabolism; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer - metabolism; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0962-9351; 1466-1861
• DOI: 10.1155/2016/3678152

Objective. This study aimed to examine the potential role of memory T follicular helper (Tfh) cells in patients with neuromyelitis optica/neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMO/NMOSD). Methods. The percentages of different subsets of circulating memory Tfh cells in 25 NMO/NMOSD patients before and after treatment as well as in 17 healthy controls were examined by flow cytometry. The levels of IL-21 and AQP4 Ab in plasma and CSF were measured by ELISA. Results. The percentages and numbers of circulating memory Tfh cells, ICOS+, CCR7−, CCR7−ICOS+, CCR7+, CCR7+ICOS+ memory Tfh cells, and the levels of IL-21 in plasma and CSF were significantly increased in NMO/NMOSD patients. The percentages of CCR7− and CCR7−ICOS+ memory Tfh cells were positively correlated with ARR, plasma IL-21, and AQP4 Ab levels. The percentages of CCR7+ and CCR7+ICOS+ memory Tfh cells were positively correlated with CSF white blood cell counts, proteins, and IL-21 levels. Treatment with corticosteroids significantly reduced the numbers of CCR7−ICOS+ and CCR7+ICOS+ memory Tfh cells as well as plasma IL-21 levels in patients with partial remission. Conclusions. Our findings indicate that circulating memory Tfh cells may participate in the relapse and development of NMO/NMOSD and may serve as a new therapeutic target.